Puerto Rico Reports First Case Of Mosquito-Borne Zika Virus; Congressman Says ‘No Reason For Alarm’

A Puerto Rican congressman assured there is no reason to be alarmed even after health officials reported its first case of Zika virus just recently. Zika is a mosquito-borne virus which has been linked to the increase of serious neurological disorder among infants in Brazil, as reported by CNN Friday.

"I wanted to inform the public that my office just spoke with officials from Centers for Disease Control‎ and Prevention (CDC), who advised us that the first locally-transmitted case of Zika virus has been confirmed in Puerto Rico," Congressman Pedro Pierluisi said in a dispatch.

"I expect that the CDC will issue a public advisory later this afternoon (Dec. 31), and the Puerto Rico Department of Health will hold a press conference to explain Zika and its potential symptoms. I also expect that CDC experts will travel to Puerto Rico in early January to educate local physicians on Zika, so they can properly diagnose and treat the virus."

He went on, "There is no reason for alarm, and the public should continue to take commonsense steps to avoid mosquito bites, like using repellent and wearing long pants and shirts."

Reuters reported Thursday that Zika virus was initially detected in Africa during the 1940s. Cases of Zika virus have been reported in countries such as Brazil, Panama, El Salvador, Mexico, Venezuela, Suriname, Colombia, Guatemala, Paraguay and the Dominican Republic, as per public health officials.

The mosquito-transmitted disease was reportedly linked to the increasing number of infants in Brazil who were born with microcephaly. The World Health Organization (WHO) revealed in December that about 2,000 cases of infants born with the said birth defect have been recorded.

Meanwhile, CDC has already issued a warning to tourists who plan to visit Puerto Rico.

"CDC recommends that travelers to affected areas in South America, Central America, the Caribbean, or Mexico protect themselves from mosquito bites," CDC posted on its website. "There is no vaccine or medicine to prevent Zika virus infection. Travelers can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites."