Health officials confirm first Zika virus case in Pierce County

TACOMA -- Health officials on Monday said they have confirmed the first case of Zika virus in Pierce County.

According to Tacoma-Pierce County Health, the man in his 20s likely caught the virus while traveling in Puerto Rico, a territory known to have mosquitoes infected with the virus.

“The risk of Zika is extremely low in Pierce County. The mosquitoes that carry it are not found here and public health testing and reporting protocols control emerging diseases,” said Nigel Turner, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department Communicable Disease Division director. “Those considering travel to areas with Zika should take appropriate precautions against the virus,” Turner said.

The virus does not spread through "casual contact" with an infected person or from mosquitoes found in Washington, county health officials said.

Here is more information from Tacoma-Pierce County Health:

Should You Worry About Zika?

About 80% of people infected with the Zika virus never show symptoms. People primarily get it from the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. According to the State Department of Health, this type of mosquito is not native to Washington. To date, the 12 cases confirmed in our state are associated with travel to a country or region with ongoing Zika virus transmission.

What Are the Symptoms?

Only one in five infected people will have any symptoms, which include fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes. The illness is usually mild and can last a few days to a week. People usually do not get sick enough to go to the hospital.

How Does It Spread?

The virus spreads from: