DCHHS Reports 8th and 9th Cases of Zika Virus in Dallas County

Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) is reporting the eighth and ninth cases of Zika virus in Dallas County in 2016. Both cases were confirmed through testing in the DCHHS lab. DCHHS has submitted the cases for review to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

The eighth case is a 15-year-old resident of Dallas who was infected with the virus during recent travel to Honduras and El Salvador. The ninth case is a 61-year-old resident of Garland who was infected during travel to Guatemala. For medical confidentiality and personal privacy reasons, DCHHS does not provide additional identifying information.

While sexual transmission of Zika virus is possible, it is primarily transmitted to people by Aedes species mosquitoes. The most common symptoms of Zika virus are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting several days to a week.

DCHHS advises individuals with symptoms to see a healthcare provider if they visited an area where Zika virus is present or had sexual contact with a person who traveled to an area where Zika virus is present. There is no specific medication available to treat Zika virus and there is not a vaccine. The best ways to avoid Zika virus are to avoid mosquito bites and sexual contact with a person who has Zika virus.

There are currently no reports of Zika virus being locally-transmitted by mosquitoes in Dallas County. However, imported cases make local spread by mosquitoes possible because the mosquitoes that can transmit the virus are found locally. DCHHS advises recent travelers with Zika virus symptoms as well as individuals diagnosed with the virus to protect themselves from further mosquito bites.

For more information on Zika virus, including prevention, go to the DCHHS website.

For additional information, contact:
Erikka D. Neroes, Public Information Officer
[email protected]
214.819.6329 (office) 214.394.8109 (cell)

Zachary Thompson, Director
214.755.9299 (cell)