First Zika Virus Case Confirmed in Michigan: Video

Michigan health officials said Wednesday that the state’s first case of Zika virus has been confirmed.

A female resident of Ingham County is believed to have contracted the virus while traveling out of the country. She is not pregnant, Dr. Eden Wells, chief medical executive at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said in statement.

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Zika is a mosquito-borne disease that is spread to individuals mainly from the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. It also can be spread from a pregnant woman to her fetus.

There have been reports of a serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly in babies of mothers who had contracted the Zika virus while pregnant.

Microcephaly is a condition where a baby’s head is much smaller than expected. Information about the link between Zika and poor birth outcomes is evolving. Until more information is known, however, the CDC recommends special travel precautions for pregnant women.

Women who are pregnant in any trimester should consider postponing travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. Those who must travel to one of these areas should consult their doctor first and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during the trip.

“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,” Wells said.

Common Zika virus symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain and red, itchy eyes, according to the release.

Symptoms are typically mild and last several days to a week, and many people who are infected will not experience any symptoms.

“There have been rare reported cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome following Zika virus infection,” the health department said. “There have also been rare reports of sexual transmission of Zika virus infection. There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat Zika virus infection.”