GALVESTON COUNTY, Texas – According to the Galveston County Health District (GCHD), a man contracted the Zika virus during a recent trip to Dominica.
The man is in between the ages of 60 and 70. He developed symptoms shortly after returning from Dominica in late July. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Although neighboring counties have experienced confirmed cases of the Zika virus, this is the first confirmed case of Zika virus in Galveston County.
There is no evidence of local transmission, but the GCHD will continue to work with the Galveston County Mosquito Control to monitor local mosquitoes.
Most people infected with Zika won’t have symptoms. However, for those who do, the illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis (red eyes).
Anyone with these symptoms should see a doctor if they 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.
Zika virus has been linked to a serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly, as well as other problems in fetuses and infants infected with Zika before birth. Pregnant women should avoid travel to areas where Zika virus is found and all travelers should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
The best ways to avoid getting the Zika virus is to wear EPA-approved insect repellent, dress in long sleeves and pants when outdoors, and drain standing water around your home so mosquitoes don’t have a place to breed.