DCHHS Reports Second Zika Virus Case In Dallas County
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) has received confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the second Zika virus case in Dallas County in 2016. The patient recently traveled to Venezuela and was diagnosed with the virus upon returning to Dallas County.
Zika virus is transmitted to people by mosquitoes and through sexual activity. The most common symptoms of Zika virus are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting several days to a week, according to a DCHHS news release Tuesday evening.
DCHHS says people with symptoms should see a doctor if they've visited an area where Zika virus is present or had sexual contact with a person who traveled to an area where Zika virus is present.
There is no specific medication available to treat Zika virus and there is no vaccine.
The best way to avoid Zika virus is to avoid mosquito bites and to avoid sexual contact with a person who has Zika virus.
There are currently no reports of Zika virus being locally-transmitted by mosquitoes in Dallas County. However, imported cases make local spread by mosquitoes possible because the mosquitoes that can transmit the virus are found locally.
DCHHS advises recent travelers with Zika virus symptoms as well as individuals diagnosed with Zika virus protect themselves from further mosquito bites.
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