DHH investigating 2 possible Zika cases in Louisiana

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The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) is investigating two presumptive cases of imported Zika virus in the state.

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Both suspected cases are from individuals who recently traveled to a Caribbean country. Results from DHH lab tests performed on samples taken from the patients were positive for Zika virus, and samples have since been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for confirmatory testing. Neither of the patients required hospitalization.

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"We do not believe that Zika will spread from these suspected cases," DHH State Epidemiologist Dr. Raoult Ratard said. "Local transmission of Zika by mosquitoes is very unlikely, given the weather and environmental conditions. The chances of getting Zika from a mosquito in Louisiana are very small."

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