Iowans should not be concerned about local transmission of the Zika virus.
Deputy State Epidemiologist Dr. Ann Garvey said Monday morning there is no indication that the types of mosquitoes spreading Zika are established in Iowa.
"Again, the real risk of Zika virus to Iowans is when they travel to those areas of when there is ongoing transmission," says Garvey. "Again, those areas are the Caribbean, Mexico, South and Central American. To date there's been no locally transmitted Zika virus anywhere in the continental U.S."
The Iowa Department of Health reports that seven Iowans have tested positive for the virus. All had traveled to Zika-impacted areas. None of these individuals were pregnant and all have recovered.
