First Case of Zika Virus Confirmed in Michigan

Zika Virus has been making the news as of late and although it's mostly found in tropical areas, the first case has been confirmed in Michigan.

Click on Detroit says that:

The patient, a female resident of Ingham County, contracted the virus when traveling in a country where Zika virus is being transmitted."

Shortly after her return, she started to experience symptoms related to the virus.

If you're unsure what Zika virus is, it's contracted through a certain type of mosquito, of the Aedes species. These mosquitoes are NOT found in Michigan. However, the virus has been transmitted to other countries outside of the typical tropical and subtropical areas (Africa, Pacific Islands, etc).

According to the CDC, the most common symptoms include: fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes). Symptoms typically last for a several days to a week. There is no treatment to the Zika virus but, fortunately,very rarely does one die from this virus.

The Zika virus, though, can be very dangerous to a pregnant woman because it can be transmitted to the fetus, which in turn can cause birth defects.

“This is the time of year when many Michigan residents are traveling to warmer climates.  If you have plans to travel to areas where Zika virus is present, take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.  If you are pregnant, or may become pregnant, consider postponing your trip,” says Dr. Eden Wells, chief medical executive at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services."

For more information about the Zika virus, the CDC website has all the questions and answers you need to know.