Ohio's 1st Zika Virus Case Involves Cleveland Woman Who Went to Haiti

Ohio's Department of Health said Tuesday the case is among three dozen in 13 states and Washington, D.C.

Health officials report Ohio's first Zika virus case, involving a 30-year-old woman who returned to Cleveland after visiting Haiti and showed symptoms in late January.

Ohio's Department of Health said Tuesday the case is among three dozen in 13 states and Washington, D.C.

There's no vaccine for the virus, which primarily spreads through bites from a mosquito not typically found in Ohio. Officials plan a preparedness exercise before Ohio's mosquito season begins in May.

Many people infected don't get sick. Some experience mild illness with symptoms including fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes. Officials are investigating whether there's a link between Zika infections in pregnant women and a rare defect in which babies are born with abnormally small heads.

Officials wouldn't disclose whether the infected Cleveland woman was pregnant.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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