First Connecticut Case of Zika Acquired in U.S.: DPH

State officials have announced the first Connecticut case of Zika acquired within the United States and officials from the state Department of Public Health said the patient had recently traveled to Florida.

This was the first case of Zika reported in the state that was acquired within the Untied States. Other cases reported in Connecticut were residents who became sick after traveling outside the country. 

But Summer McGee, of the University of New Haven, said there is no reason to panic.

"The likelihood of acquiring Zika for Connecticut residents is approximately the same as dying by a lightning strike," McGee said.

The people with the most reason for concern are pregnant women because of the birth defects associated with the virus, but it is not likely to contract the virus in Connecticut.

"While the risk is real and serious, it's also very remote," McGee said.

To date, 85 patients have tested positive for the Zika virus in Connecticut, five of whom who were pregnant.

If mosquitoes carrying Zika did make their way into Connecticut, it should not raise too much of a concern, officials said.

"Winter is coming, so mosquitoes are not going to be living as long and spreading around the country," McGee said.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 3,358 cases of Zika have been reported in the United States. 

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