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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — State Health Department officials say they have a confirmed case of the Zika virus in Tennessee, the first recorded case in the state.
The infected person had recently traveled to South America before returning home to eastern Tennessee, health officials say. The virus was not acquired in Tennessee, state Health Department spokeswoman Shelley Walker said.
Officials are not identifying the infected person.
Zika is a mosquito-borne virus spreading rapidly across Latin America. Most people who get it experience only minor symptoms, if any at all, but the virus has been linked to a devastating birth defect that causes babies to be born with abnormally small heads. For this reason, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned pregnant women about traveling in the affected countries.
The World Health Organization has called the spread of the virus a global health emergency.
Health officials in Tennessee say they have been expecting an imported case of the virus, because more infections are likely as people travel from different areas.
"While public health and medical professionals have a good body of knowledge about many mosquito-borne diseases, there is still much to learn about Zika virus disease," Health Commissioner Dr. John Dreyzehner said in a statement. "At present there are still questions about its transmission through sex and other avenues. Pregnant women or people who develop a fever within one week of returning from an affected country should contact their personal health care professional for advice."
State officials say those planning on traveling to warmer climates for spring break would do well to wear insect repellant and clothing to protect themselves from mosquitoes.
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