The second travel-related case of Zika virus has been reported in the Borderland.
According to the City of El Paso Health Department, a non-pregant woman tested positive for the virus after traveling to Puerto Rico. This is the second reported case of travel-related Zika after a man tested positive following travel to the Miami area.
Puerto Rico has been identified as a Zika affected area where active mosquito transmission of Zika is currently taking place.
“This individual spent a week in this affected area and started showing symptoms shortly after returning to El Paso on August 17th,” said Robert Resendes, Public Health Director. “This person has since self-isolated, but this latest case is another reminder to the community to protect themselves, especially when traveling to highly affected areas.”
Earlier this week the DPH announced a third case of West Nile virus in the area and in order to prevent the spread of several types of mosquito-borne diseases, personal protection is essential. In regards to Zika, the DPH is encouraging anyone who may be traveling to Zika-affected regions including certain areas of Florida, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Pacific Islands, and U.S. territories to take strict precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes.
NewsChannel 9 will have additional information this evening during our 5 p.m. newscast.
