MARIN COUNTY (KRON) — Officials in Marin County have confirmed a case of the Zika Virus, according to the county’s Health and Human Services Department.
The disease was contracted by someone who was in Central America recently, officials said.
“The spread of the Zika virus occurs primarily through infected Aedes mosquitoes, which have not been detected in Marin,” spokesman Brent Ainsworth said.
Health officials said there is no risk to the community, and they will not release the identity of the person who contracted the virus.
Officials say you are at risk of getting Zika if:
• You live in or recently traveled to a Zika outbreak area and if you were bitten by mosquitos while there, or;
• You have had unprotected sex (no condom) with a male who lives in or recently traveled to a Zika outbreak area.
Unborn babies may be at risk if a woman is infected with Zika while pregnant. The virus could cause small head syndrome in babies born to women infected with Zika while pregnant.
“Although currently there is no risk for local transmission, our residents could be exposed to Zika virus through travel or sexual contact with anyone infected with Zika,” Marin County Deputy Health Officer Dr. Lisa Santora said.
There is currently no vaccine to prevent Zika.
With the latest case, all Bay Area counties have now reported case of the Zika virus.WEB LINKS:
Updates on the virus: www.marinhhs.org
Report Mosquito problems: www.msmosquito.com.