The Texas Department of State Health Services reported the first case of Zika likely spread by local mosquitoes.
The patient is a Cameron County resident who is not pregnant and who reported no recent travel to Mexico or anywhere else with ongoing Zika virus transmission. A lab test confirmed she is infected with the Zika virus.
The state has no other cases of suspected local transmission at this time.
“We knew it was only a matter of time before we saw a Zika case spread by a mosquito in Texas,” said Dr. John Hellerstedt, DSHS commissioner. “We still don’t believe the virus will become widespread in Texas, but there could be more cases, so people need to protect themselves from mosquito bites, especially in parts of the state that stay relatively warm in the fall and winter.”
Cameron County, DSHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are working together to investigate and respond to the case.
