At least four Shelby County residents have contracted the Zika virus, but all cases here so far have resulted from traveling to countries where Zika is most prevalent.
The Shelby County Health Department confirmed the fourth case on Monday, and they say the individual is currently symptomatic.
The virus tends to only cause mild symptoms, and for most people, the health department says testing isn’t necessary. Approximately 80 percent of those infected never show symptoms of the disease. Symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes.
Pregnant women who contract Zika risk having babies with birth defects, most notably microcephaly — a condition where the baby’s head is smaller than normal and the child is at risk for physical and speech disorders, seizures, hyperactivity, and other brain disorders.
