Zika in Georgia: First travel-related case reported

The Georgia Department of Public Health has confirmed with the media that the first travel-related case of the Zika virus has infected a person from Georgia..

Testing was done by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.

The non-pregnant individual traveled to Colombia between the end of December and the first of January, and has made a full recovery.

Tests are still being done on specimens from several other Georgia residents with travel history to areas where Zika virus outbreaks are ongoing.

The number of Zika cases among travelers visiting or retuing to the United States will likely increase, the CDC says. 

These imported cases could result in local spread of the virus in some areas of the country, including Georgia.

”It is extremely important that individuals who have traveled to countries where there are on-going Zika virus outbreaks keep guard against additional mosquito bites, said Cherie Drenzek, D.V.M, state epidemiologist for DPH. ”During the first week or so of infection, Zika virus can be passed from an infected person to another mosquito through mosquito bites. An infected mosquito can then transmit the virus to other people.

For more information about Zika virus and current travel advisories, visit dph.georgia.gov or cdc.gov/zika.