The first case of Zika virus has been reported in Monroe County, but officials say Michigan residents are at low risk for the viral infection.
The report came in Friday of the first infection within Monroe County, but Monroe Health Officials did not specify if the infection was travel-related.
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Zika virus is usually spread by carrier mosquitos, and in some cases can be spread through sexual contact.
According to the Monroe County Health Department, mosquitos in Michigan are not known carriers of the Zika virus, adding they do not expect the virus to spread.
Symptoms of the Zika virus include fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). Other symptoms may include muscle pain and headache.
Health officials say the majority of those infected do not get sick enough to visit a hospital and deaths as a result of Zika are rare.
Microcephaly and other fetal brain defects have been linked to the Zika virus, making the virus most concerning for pregnant women.
READ: Human trials begin for Zika vaccines.
Health officials urge everyone who travels to an area with known outbreaks of Zika virus to take appropriate measures to avoid mosquito bites, such as wearing long pants and shirts, staying in places with air conditioning, and using mosquito repellents.
The Monroe County Health Department is working with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to obtain mosquito traps for testing of local mosquitoes.
We are well aware of the importance of determining if there are mosquitoes that have the ability to transmit the Zika virus in our community, and we are implementing steps to identify them if they are in our community,” said Monroe County Health Officer Kim Comerzan.
For more information on precautions travelers and pregnant women should take to avoid the Zika virus, visit the CDC Zika dedicated page.