First Zika Death In The U.S. Was Indeed Caused By The Virus, Officials Say
A new report suggests the first person who died while infected with Zika virus in the United States actually succumbed to the infection, not a previous illness.
The unidentified man died in July in Salt Lake City after contracting the virus while traveling in Mexico. At the time of his death officials suggested the man died “with” Zika — that his other ailments were likely the actual cause of his death.
But the medical team who cared for him at University of Utah Health Care reported on the case Wednesday in a letter published in the New England Journal of Medicine. There, they made clear that they believe it was the Zika infection that caused the man’s death.
The unidentified man died in July in Salt Lake City after contracting the virus while traveling in Mexico. At the time of his death officials suggested the man died “with” Zika — that his other ailments were likely the actual cause of his death.
But the medical team who cared for him at University of Utah Health Care reported on the case Wednesday in a letter published in the New England Journal of Medicine. There, they made clear that they believe it was the Zika infection that caused the man’s death.