Second Zika virus case appears in San Francisco

A second San Francisco resident has tested positive for the Zika virus, San Francisco Department of Public Health officials announced Friday.

A pregnant woman who traveled to San Francisco from Central America tested positive, state health officials told city officials Thursday.

Health officials said the public is not at any risk as the virus is not circulating in the city, Bay Area or the state.

The woman has no symptoms but she is receiving care.

To protect the woman’s privacy, public health officials are releasing no other details.

The first case of the virus in San Francisco was confirmed on Feb.

4. That person has recovered fully, health officials said.

Mosquitoes can spread the virus from one person to another. Sexual transmission between men and women as well as men and men has been observed.

No vaccine exists.

The virus usually causes symptoms like fever, joint pain, rash and red eyes.

The virus has been associated with microcephaly, a birth defect in which a child is born with an unusually small head. But the defect does not occur in every child whose mother is infected with the virus, according to health officials.

Dr. Tomas Aragon, San Francisco’s Health Officer, said in a statement that the Zika virus poses no threat to residents.

But health officials are encouraging pregnant women to postpone their travel plans, if possible, to areas affected by the Zika virus.

All travelers are encouraged to take precautions against mosquito bites, Aragon said.

More information can be found at http://www.sfcdcp.com/zika.

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