Chester County

Chester County Confirms First Case of Zika Virus

The first case of the Zika Virus in Chester County was confirmed on Tuesday.

The Chester County Health Department released a statement notifiying residents of the case, involving a woman who had recently traveled to an area affected by mosquitos that carry the virus. The woman was not hospitalized and has since recovered.

An alert was issued to all county heath care providers to remind them of the importance of following the testing and risk reduction guidance. Chester County Health Department Director, Jeanne Casner, reminds citizens that chances of contracting Zika in Chester County is minimal.

Zika Virus is mainly transmitted though the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, which are found primarily in warmer climates. The virus poses a larger risk to pregnant women, as the virus is shown to have a connection to birth defects. 

To date, 23 cases of travel-associated Zika cases have been confirmed in Pennsylvania, but the health department said no locally-acquired cases.

For more information on the Zika Virus, residents can visit the Chester County Health Department website or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website. 

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