The Zika virus has reached Washtenaw County.
The Washtenaw County Health Department confirmed that one person in our area has tested positive for the Zika virus. It's been categorized as a travel associated case.
Health department spokesperson Susan Cerniglia says most people get infected with the virus through mosquito bites, but there is evidence that it's also sexually transmitted. She did not want to go into details about the person infected but said the local resident is not pregnant and recovering.
More than 48 people in Washtenaw County have requested a Zika virus test after they or a family member traveled to tropical regions of the world. If you plan to travel to such areas, it's recommended to use long sleeve shirts, pants, repellent and a mosquito net. The infected mosquitoes are currently not found in Michigan.
Cerniglia added that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is no longer in charge of local Zika virus tests. They are now being processed by the state laboratory after being conducted by local doctors.
The CDC has reported over 600 Zika virus cases across the United States.
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— Jorge Avellan is the Ann Arbor beat reporter and anchor for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him javellan@emich.edu
