SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A San Francisco resident has tested positive for the Zika virus, the Department of Public Health announced Friday.
The patient is a pregnant woman who recently traveled to San Francisco from Central America, the department said.
This is the second confirmed case of Zika in San Francisco. The first case was confirmed on February 4th. The first patient was not pregnant but had recently returned from traveling in Central America.
The Department of Public Health reassures residents that there is no risk of Zika transmission to the public and that the virus is not circulating in San Francisco, the Bay Area or California.
“Zika is not circulating in San Francisco, and there is no danger to residents,” said Dr. Tomas Aragon, Health Officer for the City and County of San Francisco. “For San Franciscans considering travel to Zika affected areas, we urge pregnant women to postpone their plans if possible and advise every traveler to take mosquito precautions.”
The patient is not experiencing any Zika symptoms but is receiving care and undergoing ongoing evaluation for her pregnancy.
Zika can cause dramatic birth defects, including babies born with unusually small heads. Currently, Zika is circulating in a number of countries, mostly Latin America, the Caribbean and some of the Pacific Islands.
The virus is spread through mosquito bites. Sexual transmission of Zika has also been observed.
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