Montana has first case of Zika virus

HELENA, Mont. – A Missoula County woman has the state’s first diagnosed case of the Zika virus.

The Department of Public Health and Human Services says the woman had recently returned from a Zika-affected area and is not pregnant. The virus has been linked with microcephaly in children born to women who had the infection.

Zika is caused by a virus spread by the bite of an infected mosquito species that is not found in Montana.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevent says the most common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain and red, itchy eyes. About 1 in 5 people who are infected with the Zika virus get sick and most have a mild illness.

Travelers returning from Zika-affected areas in Mexico and South America who are pregnant or have symptoms should contact their health care provider.