San Mateo County reports Zika virus case

A San Mateo County resident has tested positive for the Zika virus, county officials announced Friday.

The resident became infected with the virus while traveling abroad and has since fully recovered, county officials said.

Because the resident did not become infected in the U.S., county officials stressed there is no risk of residents contracting the virus.

County health officer Dr. Scott Morrow said in a statement:

“There is no reason for the general public to become concerned that they are at risk for getting Zika in San Mateo County at this time.”

The Zika virus is transmitted primarily by two species of mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The mosquitoes are mostly found in tropical countries, including American Samoa, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curacao, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Surinam, Venezuela and Puerto Rico, according to county officials.

In May 2015, the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District found Aedes mosquito larvae in Menlo Park.

The district has since been attempting to eradicate the mosquitoes and has been successful, county officials said.

Morrow said:

“Although there is no evidence in California of mosquitoes carrying Zika virus or of illnesses associated with the Aedes mosquito, people should always take steps to avoid mosquito bites.”

Steps include wearing insect repellant and removing standing water around homes and properties to keep mosquitoes from breeding, according to Morrow.