First Kansas case of Zika virus confirmed

State health officials on Friday confirmed Kansas’ first case of the Zika virus.

The individual who has been infected lives in southwest Kansas and has a history of traveling to a country where transmission of the virus via mosquito bites is common in the local population, said a statement from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The virus is most prevalent in countries of the Caribbean region, Central and South America.

“Kansas is prepared for the Zika virus, and we are working with health care providers across the state to respond to both suspected and confirmed cases,” KDHE Secretary and state health officer Susan Mosier said in the statement. “I urge everyone who is considering travel to a country with Zika transmission to be aware of the situation and take precautions to protect themselves and prevent mosquito bites.”

In about eight of 10 cases, the virus causes no noticeable symptoms. About 20 percent experience mild symptoms of fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes. There is no vaccine or anti-viral treatment for the disease.

But the virus is of special concern for pregnant women, because Zika is suspected to be linked to increased cases of “microcephaly,” a birth defect where babies are born with unusually small heads.

KDHE spokeswoman Cassie Sparks said the agency won’t release whether the person with Zika is a man or woman. She also would neither confirm nor deny whether that individual is pregnant.

Health officials are cautioning pregnant women to postpone travel to countries where Zika transmission is common. All persons traveling to those countries are warned to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites, including wearing clothing that covers arms and legs, sleeping in a screened room or under a mosquito net, and using insect repellents.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has produced a map of countries and territories with active Zika transmission.

This story was originally published March 11, 2016 at 11:02 AM with the headline "First Kansas case of Zika virus confirmed."