News

Actions

Monroe County health officials confirm Zika virus case

Posted at 10:43 PM, Aug 12, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-12 22:43:46-04

MONROE, Mich. (AP) — The first Zika virus case in southeastern Michigan’s Monroe County has been confirmed by health officials.

County Health Officer Kim Comerzan tells the Monroe News Friday that the county is working with the state to obtain mosquito traps for surveillance.

Zika is a mosquito-borne virus. It causes mild, flu-like symptoms in most people, but can cause severe brain-related defects, including disastrously small heads, if women are infected during pregnancy.

Symptoms typically are mild and include fever, rash, joint pain and red, itchy eyes. Many infected people will not experience any symptoms.

The virus is most seen in Latin America and the Caribbean. Florida has reported homegrown Zika transmission by mosquitoes.

In February, state health officials confirmed the first case of the Zika virus in Michigan.