Marin County Resident Diagnosed With Zika Virus
SAN RAFAEL (CBS SF) – A Marin County resident who recently traveled to Central America has been diagnosed with the Zika virus, the county's first case.
The Marin County Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the Zika case on Tuesday, but declined to release information about the infected person due to privacy concerns.
Officials stressed that the person does not pose a risk to the community and that Aedes mosquitoes that carry the virus have not been detected in Marin County.
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Zika outbreaks have been reported in Central America and South America, along with Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands.
The virus has no vaccine. Common symptoms of the virus include fever, eye redness, achy joints and a rash. The virus may also cause microcephaly, a birth defect where babies are born with unusually small heads.
Officials urge pregnant women to delay traveling to Zika outbreak areas. Men who may have been exposed to Zika and who have a pregnant sexual partner are being asked to use condoms during sex or abstain from sexual activity.
A handful of Zika cases have been reported in the Bay Area in the last few months. Alameda, Contra Costa, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Sonoma counties, along with San Francisco have reported cases.
According to the California Department of Public Health, there have been 45 cases of Zika in the state (.pdf) as of May 6th. One case was transmitted sexually by a partner who traveled where the virus was present.