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2 cases of Zika in Omaha area; both patients had recently traveled to affected countries

Health officials say there’s a very low risk of contracting the Zika virus following a report of two cases in Nebraska.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services said Thursday that a Douglas County woman and a Sarpy County woman, both in their 20s, contracted the virus after traveling to a Zika-affected country.

For most people, the mosquito-borne Zika virus causes no symptoms, or mild ones. But health officials in Brazil are investigating whether there’s a link between the virus and cases of a birth defect called microcephaly.

Douglas County Health Department director Dr. Adi Pour says pregnant women should postpone travel to affected countries. And she says people who have traveled to those countries should look out for certain symptoms.

"When they come back to this country and they have symptoms like a high fever, a rash, malaise, tiredness, they should contact their health care provider, and at that time, tell them they have traveled to some of these countries where Zika virus is now prevalent."

Dr. Pour says the mosquito that spreads the Zika virus is different than the one that carries West Nile Virus or chikungunya. She says health officials are concerned the virus can be transmitted through blood transfusions or sexual contact, but those instances are rare.