by Donald Wood
Last updated: 2:11 PM ET, Thu February 4, 2016
On Wednesday, the Georgia Department of Public Health announced that the first travel-related case of the Zika virus has been confirmed in the state.
According to NewsChannel9.com, testing done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that a non-pregnant person who visited Colombia in December had contracted the Zika virus. The victim has already made a full recovery.
In addition to the confirmed Zika virus patient, the Georgia Department of Public Health is reporting that tests are also being done on several other residents in the state with a travel history to areas impacted by the virus.
READ MORE: Zika Virus and Travel Insurance: What You Need to Know
Georgia Department of Public Health state epidemiologist Cherie Drenzek, D.V.M released a statement on the confirmation of a Zika virus case:
"It is extremely important that individuals who have traveled to countries where there are ongoing Zika virus outbreaks keep guard against additional mosquito bites. During the first week or so of infection, Zika virus can be passed from an infected person to another mosquito through mosquito bites. An infected mosquito can then transmit the virus to other people."
The travel industry has already responded in force to Zika virus outbreak, with many airlines offering refunds to pregnant women who have booked flights to affected areas. The cruise industry is also giving pregnant women the opportunity to change previously placed bookings if needed.
In addition to the confirmed cases of the Zika virus in the United States, four Boston public schools have canceled planned school trips to the Dominican Republic, Ecuador and Nicaragua, according to NECN.com.
READ MORE: 5 Ways to Avoid the Zika Virus in the Caribbean
Not only has the mosquito-borne Zika virus been found to cause birth defects in newborns, but it has also been connected to a rare paralysis syndrome called Guillain-Barre. Countries and regions with confirmed cases include Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and others.
For a full list of affected areas and more information on the Zika virus, check out the official website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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