A Special Notice Regarding the Zika Virus

Patricia Tietjen, MD
VPMA Danbury Hospital and New Milford Hospital

To all Members of the WCHN Medical Staff
Information regarding the Zika virus for you and our patients

Here is information related to the current Zika outbreak which is receiving significant media coverage. The Zika virus is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. An estimated 80% of persons infected with Zika virus are asymptomatic. Symptomatic disease is generally mild, with symptoms of fever, maculopapular rash, arthralgia, or non-purulent conjunctivitis that typically last from several days to one week. The symptoms of Zika infection are generally mild and self-limited, and it is believed to pose little risk to the general population.

• In 2015, the first local Zika virus transmission in the Americas was reported in Brazil and local transmission has now been in several countries or territories in the Americas.


• In the current outbreak in Brazil, a marked increase in the number of infants born with microcephaly has been reported and Zika virus infections have been confirmed in some infants with microcephaly. However, it is not known how many of the microcephaly cases are associated with Zika virus infection. Travelers to areas with ongoing outbreaks are at risk of becoming infected and spreading the virus to new areas, including the continental United States.


• The symptoms of Zika infection are generally mild and self-limited, and it is believed to pose little risk to the general population.

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