Zika Virus STRIKES Yellowstone County Montana

The fourth known case of the Zika virus has been identified in Yellowstone County. The infection was identified by the RiverStone Health and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.

The reported case in Montana, the first of its kind, was found in a man who had travelled to an affected area. In February, Missoula County reported the first travel related case of Zika in Montana.

As of July 27, 2016 there have been 1,658 confirmed cases of Zika in the United States. Nearly all cases were travel related. Diagnosis of Zika is based on a person’s recent travel history, symptoms, and results from a blood or urine test. h/t billingsgazette

Zika is a disease caused by a virus that is spread primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species of mosquito that is not found in Montana. Travelers returning from Zika affected areas who have symptoms, or who are pregnant, or who are planning a pregnancy, should consult their healthcare provider.