6 NM counties have mosquito species known to carry Zika

The mosquito species known for transmitting the Zika Virus, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, have been reported in six counties in New Mexico — and Eddy County is one of them. Dr. Paul Ettestad, New Mexico Department of Health veterinarian, said as of now there are only four cases of the virus in New Mexico — two in Bernalillo County and one each in Chaves and Doña Ana counties. According to the New Mexico Department of Health's website, the four people infected contracted the virus while traveling abroad and were diagnosed after they returned home. Ettestad said the virus can spread if the mosquitoes bite someone who is infected and then bite another person. Because carrier mosquitoes have been reported in Eddy County, residents have to stay cautious. "The mosquitoes are aggressive in the daytime but are also night-biters," Ettestad said. "They like to get inside homes and live there." According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms of the virus include fever, rash, joint pain, conjunctivitis or red eyes, muscle pain and headache...more