CDC confirms Yolo County resident tests positive for Zika virus
YOLO COUNTY, Calif. (KTVU) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that a resident in Yolo County tested positive for Zika virus.
According to a news release on Wednesday from Yolo County Office of the County Administrator, a resident who recently traveled out of the country has contacted what was described as a “mild case” of Zika.
The relatively-new virus has rapidly spread to 20 countries in Central and South America as well as the Caribbean after making its initial appearance in Brazil in May of 2015.
The disease is spread through mosquitoes and there is currently no vaccine.
Pregnant women are the most at risk to experience complications from the virus with serious birth defects reported in newborns born to infected women.
“Yolo County residents traveling to Central or South America or the Caribbean, where Zika is present, should take precautions against mosquitoes,” said Yolo County Health Officer Ron Chapman, MD, MPH. “If you are pregnant, consider postponing your trip. All travelers to areas where Zika is present should go to their doctor if they experience any of the symptoms associated with Zika within three to seven days after they return. Pregnant women who have recently traveled to an area with Zika should talk to a healthcare provider about their travel even if they don’t feel sick.”