The Putnam County Health Department has confirmed that a resident has tested positive for the Zika virus.

A second case is still being investigated. Both Putnam County residents had traveled out of the country. Only about 1 in 5 people infected with the Zika virus become ill. Common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis.

The disease is usually mild, and, in most cases, does not require hospitalization. Deaths from the disease are very rare. The Zika virus is spread by infected mosquitoes, and has turned up in the continental United States from people who have traveled to infected areas.

It is imperative that any pregnant woman who has traveled to any Caribbean island, Central America, Mexico, the Pacific Islands, South America, Asia, and areas of Africa, be tested whether they exhibit symptoms or not.

The Centers for Disease Control have set up an excellent website where you can  get comprehensive information about the Zika virus. There is also a Zika information number set up by The New York State Department of Health which is 1-888-364-4723.

Listen to Ethan Carey on the Ethan & Lou Show weekdays from 5:30-10AM on 95.1 FM. You can listen online at i95rock.com/listen-live/ or by downloading the radioPup app for your mobile device. 

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