By Eric Heinz
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed on March 10 that an Orange County man in his 40s tested positive for Zika virus.
“The individual, a Costa Mesa resident … contracted the virus in late January during travel to Central America and presented symptoms in early February,” a press release from Orange County Health Care Agency and the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District stated. “He was not seriously ill and has recovered. The Health Care Agency has contacted the individual to provide counseling to prevent transmission.”
People who contract the Zika virus usually have no symptoms, but there are some who have reported sustaining fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes.
“The greatest concern is related to the possible association between Zika infection in pregnant women and microcephaly (abnormally small head and brain) in newborns,” the release stated.
“There is no vaccine to protect against Zika infection,” said Dr. Matthew Zahn, director of Disease Control and Epidemiology at Orange County Health Care Agency. “People who travel to areas with active transmission of Zika must take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.”
Local transmission has not been detected in the United States, the release stated, but the invasive Aedes mosquitoes that can transmit Zika virus are present in Orange County.
To learn more about Zika virus, visit www.ochealthinfo.com/zika. Aedes mosquitoes information can be found at the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District’s website at www.ocvcd.org/invasivemosquitoes.php.
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