Cincinnati man contracts Zika virus traveling in Caribbean, health officials say

A case of the Zika virus has been reported in Cincinnati, health commissioner Dr. O’dell Owens announced in a news conference Friday.

Officials said the victim, a man in his 50s, apparently contracted the virus while traveling in the Caribbean. Health officials said the virus was transmitted through a mosquito bite, and the man has since fully recovered.

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It’s the first reported case of the virus in Cincinnati.

Owens said as outdoor activities are likely to ramp up this holiday weekend, it’s a good time to encourage Cincinnatians to keep their guard up.

“We knew this day would come when, unfortunately, we would make the announcement that Cincinnati has experienced its first case of the Zika virus,” he said.

There have now been 21 reported cases of the virus in the state of Ohio, five of which were reported within the past week. Owens said 80 percent of the individuals who contract the virus do not experience the symptoms.

“Symptoms tend to be a fever, a rash, some joint pain and sometimes a red eye,” Owens said. “His blood was sent to the CDC, where he was diagnosed as having the Zika virus.”
The Zika virus is spreading rapidly through Latin America. Zika is suspected of causing a devastating birth defect — babies born with abnormally small heads — and pregnant Americans are urged to avoid travel to affected areas.

Zika virus is primarily transmitted through a mosquito bite. There is no indication that it can spread from person to person through casual contact.

When symptoms occur, officials said they are often mild, lasting from several days to a week, and include fever, rash, joint and muscle pain, conjunctivitis (red eyes) and headache. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon.