• First case of Zika virus reported in King County

    Updated: 

    Aedes aegypti mosquito file photo (James Gathany/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention via AP)
    Aedes aegypti mosquito file photo (James Gathany/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention via AP)
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      The first case of the Zika virus has been reported in King County, health officials said.

      Officials said the King County resident does not pose a risk to the public.

      The types of mosquitoes that transmit Zika are not found in the Pacific Northwest, so local health officials do not expect the Zika virus to spread.

      The Zika virus is primarily spread through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, or less commonly, through sexual contact with a recently infected man.

      What to know about the King County case:

      The illness was identified in a man in his 40s who had recently been in Colombia, where he was exposed.

      His case marks the third case of Zika in Washington state. KIRO 7 News will stream a news conference about his case at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. Watch here. 

      The second case reported was in a woman from Spokane.

      A pregnant Spokane woman was the second reported case of the Zika virus in the state, the Washington State Department of Health announced in February.  

      The Spokane woman was pregnant at the time she showed symptoms of a Zika virus infection.

      She delivered her baby, and the child tested negative for the Zika virus.

      “Although we can be thankful that mom is symptom-free at this point, and that her baby appears unaffected at this time, this serves as a timely reminder for anyone considering traveling to countries where the virus is circulating to be aware of the risks, and for pregnant women to delay their travel if possible,” said Dr. Joel McCullough, Spokane Regional Health District interim health officer.

      The woman, in her 20s, visited an area where Zika transmission is rampant.

      Here's what to know about the first case:

      The first case of Zika in the state was confirmed in another traveler in Mason County.

      He recently traveled to the South Pacific before returning to Washington, Department of Health staff said.

      Here's what to know about Zika in the U.S.:

      The Zika virus has been found for years in parts of Asia and Africa. 

      It migrated into the Western Hemisphere in May 2015, and the virus has now spread throughout tropical areas of Central and South America and many countries in the Caribbean. 

      http://www.kiro7.com/news/local/first-case-of-zika-reported-in-king-county/258463910