The Brazos County health department has announced the first case of travel-associated Zika virus.
The infected person recently returned from traveling to an area with ongoing Zika transmission by mosquitoes.
The health department has no evidence of Zika-infected mosquitoes in the local area.
Community health services director Julie Anderson says with Zika, you have to protect yourself from mosquito bites anytime you are outdoors.
With Zika being one of several diseases that can be spread by mosquitoes, Anderson recommends seeing a medical professional when experiencing any symptoms.
Click below for comments from Julie Anderson, visiting with WTAW’s Bill Oliver:
From the Brazos County Health Department:
ZIKA VIRUS CONFIRMED IN BRAZOS COUNTY
Laboratory results confirm the first travel-associated case of Zika in the Brazos County; health authorities have been and continue to investigate the presence of Zika transmitting mosquitoes in the area.
(Bryan-College Station, TX) – The Brazos County Health Department received test results confirming the first case of travel-associated Zika virus infection (Zika) in Brazos County. The infected person recently returned from traveling to an area with on-going Zika transmission by mosquitoes. Officials with BCHD have not found evidence of Zika-infected mosquitoes in the local area at this time.
Many people infected with Zika virus won’t have symptoms or will only have mild symptoms. Common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes).
However, Zika virus can be spread from a pregnant woman to her fetus and has been linked to microcephaly and other birth defects in babies of mothers who had Zika virus while pregnant.
The Brazos County Health Department and CDC recommend that pregnant women not travel to areas where Zika virus is spreading. CDC maintains a list and map of the affected countries. Zika also can be spread during sex (by both males and females). Anyone concerned about getting Zika from sex can use condoms the right way every time they have vaginal, anal or oral sex or can practice abstinence.
Zika is only one of several diseases that can be spread by mosquitoes. Reducing the number of places where mosquitoes lay eggs—containers of standing water—can lower the risk of exposure.
The Brazos County Health Department and CDC suggest people take these steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites:
• Prevent Zika by avoiding mosquito bites.
• Mosquitoes that spread Zika virus bite mostly during the daytime.
• Mosquitoes that spread Zika virus also spread dengue and chikungunya viruses.
• Zika virus can pass during vaginal, anal or oral sex without a condom.
For additional information about Zika, visit http://www.cdc.gov/zika or www.brazoshealth.org.