TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - As the Zika virus spreads throughout Central and South America, the Pima County Health Department responds to the outbreak, which is transmitted by mosquitoes.
Dr. Francisco Garcia, the director of the department, says the risk of transmission in the U.S. is still low. He says that is because mosquito activity is slower in winter.
Garcia says it is possible that travelers could bring back the virus from Central and South America.
"One of the things we're going to have to be really smart about is what we do in terms of the follow up and surveillance of these important cases. These are people traveling for work or traveling for pleasure and so these are our healthy folks, so that's the good news," said Garcia.
Dr. Garcia also said we do have the right kind of mosquito in Pima County that could eventually transmit the virus.
The Zika virus poses the biggest health risk to those with compromised immune systems, especially pregnant women.
