Health authorities confirmed Hong Kong’s first case of the Zika virus infection, according to a South China Morning Post report. A woman, who recently traveled to the Caribbean, contracted the infection and is in an isolation ward in a Hong Kong hospital. Mosquitoes bit the patient while she was in the Caribbean and returned to Hong Kong Aug. 22. However, she began developing symptoms Aug. 20. She had initially refused to cooperate with the health department and the police had to be called in, noted the report.
The patient’s blood and urine samples tested positive for Zika on Aug. 25. Hong Kong’s Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will “conduct an anti-mosquito operation” in areas the patient visited after her return.
More than 50 countries have reported Zika transmission since the virus’ outbreak in 2015. In the United States, 2,487 travel-associated Zika cases have been reported, as of Aug. 24, the CDC reports.
More articles on healthcare quality:
Interventions to keep chronic illness patients on their meds could save billions
Update: Dangerous bacteria detected outside of NICU at Prince George’s Hospital Center
3 wrong-site surgeries prompt changes at Phoebe Putney
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.