Fourth Case Of Zika Virus Confirmed In Connecticut
HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork) -- The Department of Health has confirmed a fourth case of the Zika virus in Connecticut.
The Connecticut Post reports the fourth confirmed case to be a non-pregnant woman in her 30s, who had recently traveled from Connecticut to the Caribbean.
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Experts in Connecticut are closely monitoring the presence of the Asian tiger mosquito -- one of two species capable of transmitting the Zika virus, WCBS 880's Fran Schneidau reported.
According to entomologist Dr. Theodore Andreadis, populations of the Asian tiger mosquito are prevalent along the Fairfield and New Haven county coastlines. However, it is not immediately known whether or not Zika will transmit to these species.
"If it does, then that could potentially represent a much more serious and immediate threat to greater areas of the U.S. including portions of Connecticut," Andreadis said.
Since there is currently no vaccine available to help prevent the virus, the best thing that can be done to protect yourself from the virus is prevention, Andreadis said.
A pregnant woman from Connecticut was reported to have tested positive for Zika earlier this week, after traveling from Central America, the New York Times reported.
According to the Post, 245 women have been tested for the Zika virus in Connecticut.
There have been 40 cases reported in New York City, including six pregnant women. All of the patients contracted the virus while visiting other countries. They have all recovered.
In April, the CDC posted new maps of the estimated range of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, and a related cousin, on its website. Instead of just being in the southern part of the country, the maps now show the two mosquitoes reaching as far as New York City and San Francisco.
Researchers fear Zika causes microcephaly, a serious birth defect in which a baby's head is too small, as well as posing other threats to the children of pregnant women infected with it.