U.S. Florida reports 1st sexually transmitted Zika case in 2017

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. state of Florida on Tuesday reported its first sexually transmitted Zika case in 2017.

In a statement, the state's health department said the Zika case has been confirmed in Pinellas County.

"While the individual had no travel, their partner recently traveled to Cuba and was ill with symptoms consistent with Zika," the department said. "Both tested positive for Zika."

Based on data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tuesday's confirmed infection is the second Zika case acquired through sexual transmission in the continental U.S. this year.

It stated that there is no evidence of ongoing transmission through mosquitoes taking place anywhere in Florida.

This year, Florida has reported a total of 118 Zika cases, including 90 travel-related cases. An additional 28 patients were infected in 2016 but tested this year, including six locally acquired cases and 22 with undetermined exposure.

Last week, the state of Texas reported its first local Zika infection by a mosquito in 2017. The Texas case is also the first local case in any U.S. state this year.

Zika is transmitted primarily by the Aedes mosquito, but it can also be spread by sexual contact.

Four out of five people infected with the Zika virus never develop symptoms, and when symptoms do occur, they may include fever, joint pain, maculopapular rash, and conjunctivitis.

In addition, Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects and is associated with other adverse pregnancy outcomes.