Zika confirmed in New Mexico

The New Mexico Department of Health announced Friday that a 46-year-old Bernalillo County man has tested positive for Zika virus infection. Testing was conducted at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Fort Collins, Colorado. The man acquired the virus while traveling to Central America. “We have anticipated that travel-related cases would be identified in New Mexico,” said Department of Health Deputy Secretary Lynn Gallagher. “We have been working closely with CDC to prepare for Zika cases in New Mexico.” Zika virus infection causes no symptoms in one out of five people; however, in infected pregnant women the virus has been linked to birth defects including microcephaly and other poor birth outcomes. The CDC has special precautions for pregnant women or women thinking of becoming pregnant, recommending that they not travel to areas with ongoing Zika virus activity...more