INDIANAPOLIS — State health officials have confirmed the first case of Zika virus in Indiana.

According to the Indiana State Department of Health, the case involves a non-pregnant resident who recently traveled to Haiti. The individual didn’t require hospitalization, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

State Health Commissioner Dr. Jerome Adams said the risk of Zika infection in Indiana remains low. However, travelers are at risk, especially when visiting Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The virus is spread primarily through mosquitoes, although it can also spread through sexual contact.

Most people who are infected won’t develop symptoms, but some will get a mild illness that can include fever, rash, joint pain and pink eye. There is currently no vaccine for the virus, which can cause birth defects.

The CDC has advised pregnant women to avoid traveling to areas where Zika virus has been found. People who do travel should follow the following guidelines to minimize the risk of mosquito bites:

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to reduce the amount of exposed skin.
• Stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside. Sleep under a mosquito bed net if air conditioned or screened rooms are not available or if sleeping outdoors.
• Use Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellents. When used as directed, these insect repellents are proven safe and effective even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
• Look for products containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 as the active ingredients.
• Always follow the product label instructions and reapply as directed.
• If you are using sunscreen, apply sunscreen before applying insect repellent.
• Treat clothing and gear with permethrin or buy permethrin-treated items; don’t use permethrin products directly on skin. They are intended to treat clothing.

Source: CBS4