Indiana Health Officials Report 1st Case of Zika Virus

There have been about 50 cases of the mosquito-spread virus reported in the United States

Indiana health officials say the state has its first case of Zika virus.

The Indiana State Department of Health announced Tuesday the person with the virus is "a non-pregnant resident" who recently traveled to Haiti.

There have been about 50 cases of the mosquito-spread virus reported in the United States, most in travelers returning from affected countries.

Many people infected do not get sick. For those who do, it is usually a mild illness with symptoms including fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes.

The virus is primarily spread through bites from a specific mosquito. Health officials are investigating whether there is a link between Zika infections in pregnant women and a rare birth defect called microcephaly, in which babies are born with abnormally small heads. 

Copyright The Associated Press
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