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Lorna Benson

Minnesota confirms case of Zika virus in traveler after Honduras trip

Aedes albopictus mosquito
The Zika virus is spread through mosquito bites from Aedes aegypti and the CDC is investigating whether it is also spread by Aedes albopictu, pictured.
James Gathany | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2003 photo via AP

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An Anoka County woman in her 60s who recently returned from a trip to Honduras has been confirmed as Minnesota's first confirmed case of Zika virus this year.

The rare mosquito-transmitted virus was recently linked to a spike in rare birth defects in Brazil, but Minnesota Department of Health epidemiologist Dave Neitzel says it isn't a health threat in Minnesota.

"It's just important for Minnesotans to recognize as they travel to different parts of the world the disease risks change," he said. "We don't have the same risks that we have here in Minnesota and it's important to learn those risks and to take the proper precautions to protect yourself."

Minnesota has had one other case of Zika virus in a man who traveled to French Polynesia in 2014.

The Health Department is waiting for other Zika test results to come back from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — including some for travelers who are pregnant.

The rare tropical disease is spreading in Latin America and the Caribbean. It usually causes a mild illness but is suspected in an unusual birth defect, called microcephaly, and other health issues. The CDC is warning pregnant women against traveling to several countries in Central and South America.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.