First case of locally-transmitted Zika confirmed in US

The first case of locally-transmitted Zika virus in the United States has been confirmed by the country’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as Dallas County Health and Human Services.

The virus was acquired through sexual contact in Texas, Dallas County Health and Human Services said Tuesday afternoon.

The patient has not yet been identified but DCHHS officials said s/he was infected after having sexual contact with an ill individual returning from Venezuela, a country where the virus is thought to be present.

The officials added that they received confirmation of the infection from the CDC.

“Dallas County Health and Human Services has received confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the first Zika virus case acquired through sexual transmission in Dallas County in 2016,” said a statement. “The patient was infected with the virus after having sexual contact with an ill individual who returned from a country where Zika virus is present.”