A scare that has spread across the world has now landed in southern Arizona.
The first case of Zika Virus has been confirmed in Pima County. But, the Pima County Health Department said, that person is no longer a threat to others and can no longer spread the virus.
Michael Riehle is an associate professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Arizona.
Riehle said, there is not too much cause for concern in this case because it was an imported one.
"Imported just means somebody went to a country that has Zika Virus and brought it back."
In Pima County, that confirmed case came from the Caribbean and was not locally-transmitted.
"If they got bitten by one of our local mosquitoes and that mosquito picked up the virus, then - after about two weeks the virus would eventually get to the mosquitoes salivary glands and then any person she bit after that could potentially become infected with Zika Virus," Riehle explained.
But, the Pima County Health Department said, the person infected did not pass it along and has since recovered from the virus.
"Very quickly and very aggressively - we reach out to the individual and we make sure that they understand how to protect themselves from mosquito bites and how to protect the rest of their family," Director Francisco Garcia with the Pima County Health Department said.
Riehle explains that currently, mosquito populations are pretty low here in southern Arizona because monsoon rains have not poured in yet.
"As soon as the flood waters come, these mosquitoes will hatch out and then we'll start having our mosquito populations come up," Riehle explained. "So, there's really no risk of mosquito transmission right now simply because we don't have the mosquitoes either."
But, those storms are coming, so health officials are stressing the need for protection.
They suggest dressing in layers, despite the heat, as well as removing standing water from lawns and yards.
For a full list of tips, click here.
Someone in Pima County has been infected with the Zika virus, the Pima County Health Department tells KGUN9.
The patient was infected while traveling in the Caribbean. County officials say the patient's case is past the point in which it could be transmitted to others via other mosquitoes. The patient was treated and has fully recovered.
The virus, which is transferred by mosquitoes, causes birth defects.
“This person did not become infected while here in Pima County,” said Pima County Health Department Director Francisco García. “As soon as we knew this person was at risk for Zika, we took the necessary steps to inform the individual on how to prevent mosquito bites.”
Garcia sad the county has increased mosquito trapping, surveillance and testing.
Someone in Pima County has been infected with the Zika virus, the Pima County Health Department tells KGUN9.
The patient was infected while traveling in the Caribbean. County officials say the patient's case is past the point in which it could be transmitted to others via other mosquitoes. The patient was treated and has fully recovered.
The virus, which is transferred by mosquitoes, causes birth defects.
“This person did not become infected while here in Pima County,” said Pima County Health Department Director Francisco García. “As soon as we knew this person was at risk for Zika, we took the necessary steps to inform the individual on how to prevent mosquito bites.”
Garcia sad the county has increased mosquito trapping, surveillance and testing.
