IWU administrator confirms she contracted Zika virus in Haiti
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The Indiana State Department of Health announced that the first human case of the Zika virus was confirmed in Indiana on Tuesday.
The CDC confirmed that the non-pregnant resident, who had recently traveled to Haiti, did not need to be hospitalized for treatment. Gov. Mike Pence said at an unrelated event Tuesday morning that the confirmed case was in Grant County.
24-Hour News 8 confirmed that the Vice President of Academic Affairs for the School of Nursing, Barbara Ihrke, at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion Indiana was the patient that tested positive with the Zika virus.
Ihrke said she was in Haiti on the Island of La Gonave from Jan. 16 to Jan. 23 on an academic trip with nursing students from the university at a new hospital on the island. On Jan. 29, she went to the IWU Health Center after having symptoms including a headache, joint pain and a rash on her face and body.
The CDC verified it was Zika through a blood test. Ihrke said the results of the test came back on Tuesday morning.
She told WISH-TV that she currently has no additional symptoms and was back to work this week. Ihrke said that since there are currently no mosquitoes currently in Indiana it is not possible to spread the virus.
During a press conference state officials say there’s very little expectation that it could spread here.
State Health Commissioner Jerome Adams said the health department is providing guidance to local health officials and providers in anticipation of additional travel-related cases in Indiana.
“The risk of contracting Zika virus here in Indiana remains low, but we know that many residents are concerned,” Dr. Adams said. “We urge anyone visiting affected areas to take steps to avoid mosquito bites.”
“Our prioritization for public health precautions is pregnant women,” said Jen Brown of the health department, who also said they’re concerned for women who may become pregnant. “Everyone else who might be considering travel has to weigh the risks versus the benefits of travel and make a decision that feels right to them.”
Ihrke said that IWU currently has no travel restrictions in place for students traveling abroad. But she said “they are working to make certain that everyone is safe.” Currently the university has group of students who are serving at the hospital for a semester. Ihrke said there is an American physician on staff at the hospital in La Gonave for any student who needs medical attention.
Other Indiana residents shared with WISH-TV that weren’t concerned about the virus spreading.
“I’m going to Mexico on Monday for my wedding that we’ve been planning for about a year and a half,” said Lauren Laferriere, while walking in downtown. I’m not worried for myself, I’m just worried for my guests. But they’re all aware, we’ve been keeping on top of it, so we’re all still going to go.”
State health officials say the virus is most prevalent in the system for a week after infection, and because of the risk they’re also warning men who travel to the region and have pregnant spouses
“I do like to travel and I think that everybody’s safety is important, especially our babies,” said Yvonne Horton, while on her way to lunch.
The state says it’s being aggressive with its approach.
“We’re going to be working as we have for many days to educate the public about the risks particularly for traveling into the affected areas,” said Gov Mike Pence.
Despite the added attention officials say its unlikely the disease will spread here. They say it behaves differently than the West Nile Virus.
“The West Nile virus is maintained in nature in wild birds, a virus like Zika virus is maintained in nature in non-human primates, and we don’t have non-human primates living in the wild here in the United States,” said Brown
To protect yourself the CDC suggests to wear long sleeved shirts and long pants. Stay in places with air conditioning, use insect repellents and treat clothing with permethrin.
The other reason why officials say it’s so unlikely for the disease to spread here is because Indiana doesn’t have the type of mosquito that spreads it.
There is currently an epidemic of the Zika virus infection occurring in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
Additional information about the virus and ways to protect yourself can be found by clicking here.