DCHHS Reports the 26th and 27th Zika Virus Case in Dallas County

Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) is reporting the 26th and 27th cases of Zika virus in Dallas County in 2016. These cases were confirmed through testing in the DCHHS lab. DCHHS has submitted the cases for review to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

A 50 year-old resident of Grand Prairie was infected with the virus during recent travel to the Dominican Republic. A 6 year-old resident of Dallas was infected during recent 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.