NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – On Tuesday, the Napa County Public Health Division received confirmation from the California Department of Public Health of the first positive Zika virus case in Napa County.

The case is a pregnant woman who traveled to Central America and is not showing symptoms of Zika virus infection at this time.

Napa County’s priority is to protect the identity of the woman and her unborn child.

“This Zika virus case is not a threat to public health. There is no active transmission of Zika virus in Napa County, and the two kinds of mosquitoes that transmit the virus have not been found here,” said Dr. Karen Relucio, Napa County health officer. “Anyone who is planning to travel to a country with active Zika virus transmission should consult with their health care provider before leaving, especially if they are pregnant or are considering becoming pregnant.”

Napa County Public Health is working together with local health care providers to actively test for cases of Zika virus among pregnant women who have traveled to countries with Zika virus transmission or who have sexual partners who have traveled to countries with Zika virus. Public Health officials expect to see more cases as testing for Zika virus continues.

Napa County Public Health continues to promote Zika virus prevention messages:

· Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant are advised to avoid travel to areas with Zika.

· Women who are pregnant and have sexual partner(s) that have traveled to areas with Zika are advised to abstain from sex or use condoms consistently for the duration of the pregnancy.

· Pregnant women or sexual partner(s) of pregnant women who cannot avoid travel to areas with Zika are advised to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites (Spanish).

For more information on Zika virus visit: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/ .