The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department (SBCPHD) announced today that a second case of Zika virus infection has been confirmed in the County, this time in a non-pregnant female who recently traveled to a region of Mexico with local transmission of Zika.
SBCPHD anticipates that the number of confirmed Zika cases will increase as healthcare providers follow recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to screen/test individuals at risk.
Thus far, over 90 specimens have been submitted to the Santa Barbara County Public Health Laboratory to test for Zika virus, and over 70 of those specimens have met state requirements for testing.
Trapping and testing of mosquitoes in Santa Barbara County has not shown any evidence that Zika-carrying mosquitoes are present at this time. However, the Mosquito and Vector Management District of Santa Barbara County continues to vigilantly trap and test the mosquito population. Community members may see vector control around the community placing these traps.
Given the anticipated increase in the number of travel related Zika cases diagnosed in the County, the Public Health Department will update its website with a case count each Friday morning. For the case count or for questions regarding Zika virus prevention, transmission and risks, please refer to the Public Health Department website at: www.cosb.countyofsb.org/zika_Virus/
