First case of sexually transmitted Zika in Ohio confirmed

A 61-year-old Lucas County is the first person in Ohio to have contracted the disease via sexual transmission, and the 16th in Ohio overall

She reported symptoms upon her husband’s return from a country where the virus is widespread.

Throughout the United States there are 755 travel-related cases of Zika and 12 cases from sexual transmission. There are no cases thought to have originated from infected mosquitoes.

The symptoms of the virus itself are relatively mild, but serious birth defects have been linked to the virus.

Public health officials in Ohio have been preparing for the Zika virus since January, and will implement mosquito control efforts throughout the summer.

6/6/16: First case of Zika in Columbus reported

Columbus Public Health says a 38-year-old woman returning from a trip to the Dominican Republic has the Zika virus.

She is the first Columbus resident to report having the disease.

There is currently no vaccine for the virus.

Health officials are currently working to prevent the spread of the disease, which spread primarily through mosquito bites, but is also thought to spread sexually.

The symptoms of the illness itself are mild, but Zika is particularly harmful to pregnant women, since it can cause birth defects in their unborn children.

Pregnant women, or women who are planning on having children, are strongly encouraged not to travel to areas where the virus is highly concentrated, including the Dominican Republic, Brazil and other South American countries.

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