Two Illinois women test positive for Zika virus

Two pregnant Illinois residents who recently traveled to countries where Zika virus is found have tested positive for the virus, the Illinois Department of Public Health said.

Physicians are monitoring the women’s health and pregnancies, health department said.

Melaney Arnold, a spokeswoman for the state department of public health, said the state would not release where in the state the two residents live.

"There is virtually no risk to Illinois residents since you cannot contract Zika virus from another person, but only through the bite of an infected mosquito," said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah. "But (because) this is a time of year when people travel to warmer climates and countries where Zika virus is found, we are urging residents, especially pregnant women, to take preventive measures when traveling in affected countries and check health travel advisories."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a travel alert for people traveling to regions and certain countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing, including: Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Zika virus is spread to people through mosquito bites, similar to West Nile virus or dengue fever, the department of health said. The illness is usually mild and severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon, there is a possible link between Zika virus infection in pregnant women and subsequent birth defects.

This story was originally published January 19, 2016 at 5:11 PM with the headline "Two Illinois women test positive for Zika virus."