First confirmed case of Zika in Chester County

A Chester County woman who recently traveled to a Zika-affected area is confirmed to have contracted the virus, health officials said.

The woman, who health officials have only described as being over 50 years old, traveled to the Dominican Republic, the Inquirer reported.

She is not pregnant, was not hospitalized and has since recovered.

To date, 23 cases of travel-associated Zika virus have been confirmed in Pennsylvania; there have been no instances of the virus being contracted locally, officials said.

The Chester County Health Department announced a collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the PennsylvaniaDepartment of Environmental Protection in response to the case. All county health care providers have been issued alerts and information regarding reducing the risk of Zika’s spread.

Chester County Health Department Director Jeanne Casnor said there’s minimal risk of contracting Zika from mosquitos in Chester County.

“For anyone traveling to countries affected by the Zika virus, we urge caution and note that pregnant women in particular should avoid travel to affected countries,” Casner said in a statement.

For more information about the Zika virus and the Centers for Disease Control’s recommendations for pregnant women or travelers, visit www.cdc.org/zika.