SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Department of Health says it is unable to determine how a Utahn got the Zika virus even though they had no risk factors.
Health officials said the case reported back in July is a unique one.
They said the victim had not traveled to an area known to have Zika and had not had sexual contact with a person who was already infected.
However, health officials learned the person helped provide care to another patient who was infected with Zika virus.
This other patient, who later passed away, was infected with an unusually high amount of virus, about 100,000 times higher than an average infection, officials said.
The mosquito known to carry the virus is not currently found in Utah.
“This investigation will remain active and we will continue working to learn more about Zika virus and how it may be spread,” Dr. Dagmar Vitek said, medical director with the Salt Lake County Health Department. “People should continue to take the appropriate steps to prevent Zika virus infection, especially pregnant women and health care workers who are caring for severely ill patients with the disease.”
Click here for complete information on the Zika virus in Utah.
