Denton County Public Health (DCPH) has confirmed the eighth and ninth travel-associated cases of Zika virus.
The eighth case is a resident of Lantana who traveled to St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. The ninth case is a resident of the City of Denton who traveled to Puerto Rico. Both St. Croix and Puerto Rico are regions with active Zika transmission.
So far, there have been no reports of local transmission, health officials said.
Zika virus is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito, a known aggressive daytime biter. Sexual transmission has also been reported in a small number of cases.
The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is typically mild with symptoms lasting no more than seven days. DCPH advises recent travelers with Zika virus symptoms, as well as individuals diagnosed with Zika virus, to protect themselves from further mosquito bites, and also to practice safe sex.
DCPH is recommending travel precautions to countries and territories with active Zika virus transmission. To prevent the spread of disease, people traveling to those areas currently affected should carefully follow steps to avoid mosquito bites while there.
“Residents should continue to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites when at home or traveling abroad to affected countries. Whether to protect against West Nile Virus locally or to prevent Zika exposure internationally, bite prevention is key. We also want to emphasize precautions for pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant to delay travel to affected countries with active Zika transmission” said Dr. Matt Richardson, Director of Public Health.
While there is no current known local transmission in these cases, all residents should take the proper precautions to reduce their risk of getting Zika virus while traveling, and to observe the same precautions while home.
Visit the Denton County Public Health website www.dentoncounty.com/zika for additional information.
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