43 Zika Virus Cases Reported in Virginia as of Thursday

PHOTO: Mosquito photo courtesy of CDC

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Virginia is now counting 43 Zika virus cases reported in the Commonwealth, with five new cases reported this week as of Thursday, according to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).

As of Thursday, VDH has reported 43 cases of Zika virus disease in Virginia residents to the CDC:

• Northwest Region: 6
• Northern Region: 24
• Eastern Region: 2
• Central Region: 7
• Southwest Region: 4

CDC has issued a travel alert (Level 2-Practice Enhanced Precautions) for people traveling to regions and certain countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. No local mosquito-borne Zika virus disease cases have been reported in the United States, but lab tests have confirmed Zika virus in travelers returning to the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These travelers have gotten the virus from mosquito bites and some non-travelers got Zika through sex with a traveler.

NBC News reported Wednesday that someone in Florida may have contracted Zika without traveling or having sex with someone who traveled to an area where the Zika virus is transmitted by mosquitoes.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced last week that Virginia will begin testing mosquitoes for the virus.

The mosquito-borne illness poses a particular threat to pregnant woman and their unborn children, according to health officials.