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First State Zika case count now at 15, includes infant

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Delaware’s total Zika case count is now at 15.

That’s four more than the last time the state offered an update - and those new cases include an infant who contracted the illness while traveling abroad.

Delaware’s Division of Public Health says that so far, no studies indicate Zika affects adults and infants differently.  They do note that while they advise the use of insect repellent to aid against mosquito bites, it shouldn’t be used for infants under two months.

Because Zika only stays in a person - or mosquito’s - blood stream for around seven days - none of the 15 infected Delawareans can transmit the virus if bitten by a mosquito now,  But the virus can still be transmitted sexually.

 

Delaware’s Division of Public Health is instructing providers to equip patients who test positive for Zika on how to prevent sexual transmission.

 

Of the 15 Delaware Zika cases, nine were in New Castle County and three each were in Kent and Sussex counties. They were all caused by mosquito bites while traveling abroad.

 

More information about countries where Zika is active can be found on the CDC’s website.

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