Infant’s death is first Zika-related fatality in Texas

Reporting from Houston —  An infant whose mother traveled to a Zika-infected area in Latin America died shortly after birth in a suburban Houston hospital, marking the first Zika-related death in Texas, according to officials.

The infant died a few weeks ago and had microcephaly linked to the Zika virus, Dr. Umair Shah, executive director of Harris County Public Health, said Tuesday.

“We are devastated to report our first case of Zika-associated death, and our hearts go out to the family,” Shah said.

Test results linking the death to Zika were confirmed Friday. The mother had traveled to El Salvador while she was pregnant.

The only other confirmed Zika-related death in the U.S. was an elderly Utah man who died in June. He also suffered from other health conditions.

Florida is the only U.S. state that has reported homegrown Zika transmission by mosquitoes, in Miami-Dade County.

Texas has reported 97 Zika cases, all contracted during travel abroad. Harris County has reported 31 Zika cases, including 14 in Houston.

Last week, Texas officials announced that the state’s Medicaid program would provide mosquito repellent to all expectant mothers and women between 10 and 45. Harris County Judge Ed Emmett doubted the efficiency of that program and said he would work with local and state officials as well as corporate partners to get the spray directly to residents.

“How many people are going to go get a prescription for bug spray? I think the more realistic way is to find corporate partners and make it happen,” he said.

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UPDATES:

12:15 p.m.: This article has been updated with comment from the Harris County Public Health executive director and a county judge.

This article was originally published at 11:25 a.m.