JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A second case of Zika virus has been confirmed in Mississippi.
The State Department of Health says Friday the case is in a Noxubee County resident who recently traveled to Haiti. The first, announced Thursday, is in a Madison County resident who also went to Haiti.
The mosquito-borne virus may cause birth defects if contracted during pregnancy. Infection can cause a mild illness with fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes.
The Health Department says the breed of mosquito spreading Zika has not been found in Mississippi since the mid-1980s.
State Epidemiologist Dr. Thomas Dobbs says people should protect themselves from mosquitoes while traveling to countries with Zika outbreaks, including Mexico or countries in South America and the Caribbean.
There are no available treatments or vaccines for Zika virus.
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