Raleigh, N.C. – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed that an adult is infected with the Zika virus after traveling to a country with ongoing Zika virus transmission.
Officials say the patient’s symptoms have been resolved.
While most of the mosquitoes that carry the Zika virus are not believed to be widespread in North Carolina, residents should still take steps to avoid mosquito bites.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported travel-related Zika infections in 21 other states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
In January, the Virginia Department of Health confirmed that an adult resident of Virginia was infected with the Zika virusafter traveling to a country where the virus transmission is ongoing.
The only case of the disease to have been acquired in the continental United States was an infection in Texas, which was sexually transmitted.
Zika virus is most commonly transmitted through the bite of an infectious mosquito, but cases of transmission through sexual contact and blood transfusion have also been reported.
A pregnant woman infected with Zika virus can pass the virus to her unborn child. Microcephaly, a serious brain birth defect, has been reported in some infants born to mothers who were infected with the virus while pregnant.
The CDC has issued a travel advisory, recommending pregnant woman to postpone traveling to any area with active Zika virus transmission.
