A third case of Zika virus has been confirmed by Public Health in Kern County. The department says the person became infected outside the U.S. where the type of mosquito that carries the virus is common but there are places around here where they can be found. Arvin is known to have a population of aedes mosquitoes and the bugs are thriving up the valley in Clovis, near Fresno. The concern is an infected person in Kern County could be bitten by an aedes mosquito and then it bites someone else and spreads the infection. Only pregnant women need be concerned because the affects of the virus on other people is mild if there are any symptoms at all. In pregnancies, the virus can cause microcephaly, a birth defect resulting in a small head.

Sean Michael Lisle