Virginia extends Zika testing to Hampton Roads region


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NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Virginia health officials say they will extend testing for the Zika virus in mosquitoes to the Hampton Roads region.

WTKR-TV reports ( http://bit.ly/29EBkbo ) that none of Virginia's mosquitoes has tested positive for the virus so far. But the state health commissioner says it's likely a matter of time before some will become infected. The virus is known to cause birth defects.

Dr. Marissa Levine, the health commissioner, said more testing will help the state get ahead of Zika and mitigate its spread.

Virginia has been screening humans for Zika since April. Thirty-eight cases have been confirmed, although all involved people who traveled to foreign countries.

Levine said humans can spread Zika through sexual intercourse. No known treatment or vaccine currently exists for the virus.

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