Zika virus discovered in Monroe County

MONROE COUNTY, Mich. (WJBK) - A case of the Zika virus has been reported in Monroe County.

The Monroe County Health Department did not identify the resident or give any details about the case in its announcement.

Because Michigan mosquitos are not known to as carriers of the virus, local health officials do not expect the virus to be spread.

As a precaution Monroe health officials are setting mosquito traps for surveillance in Monroe County along with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Travelers and pregnant women are still encouraged to take precautions. The virus can be transmitted through mosquitos, sexual partners, pregnancy or through blood transfusion.

Symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis (red eyes). Other symptoms include muscle pain and headache. Symptoms can last for several days to a week. The majority of those infected do not get sick enough to visit a hospital and deaths from Zika are rare.

For more information on Zika, go to www.cdc.gov/zika/