The state Department of Public Health reiterated warnings Friday urging Connecticut residents, particularly pregnant women and women planning to become pregnant, to avoid travel to countries that have been affected by Zika virus.

The warning was issued a day after the health department announced that a fourth Connecticut patient, a nonpregnant woman in her 30s, tested positive for the Zika virus.

The patient traveled from the Caribbean to Connecticut on April 25 and became ill on April 29, the health department said in a news release.

Her symptoms included fever, rash and conjunctivitis. The patient and her physician have been informed of the test result.

The State Laboratory confirmed the patient's test result using PCR testing. This level of testing is used for patients who are actively experiencing symptoms of the virus.

The State Laboratory was approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in March for the testing after Gov. Dannel P. Malloy directed DPH to develop and begin testing for Zika.

Prior to this approval, specimens were sent to the CDC for testing, resulting in long wait times for results.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Zika is expected to infect roughly 700,000 people on the island of Puerto Rico by the end of the year.

With a large Puerto Rican community in Connecticut, and sizable populations from other Zika-affected countries, coupled with daily flights to Puerto Rico and other countries from Bradley and airports in neighboring states, travelers should protect themselves from the virus by taking steps to prevent mosquito bites, the health department said in a news release.

When traveling to countries where Zika virus or other viruses spread by mosquitoes have been reported, use insect repellent, wear long sleeves and pants, and stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens. 

“With no vaccine or antiviral drug currently available to prevent infection or protect a developing fetus, it is imperative that women in any trimester of pregnancy, women who are planning to become pregnant, and their male sexual partner follow recommendations for prevention,” state Public Health Commissioner Dr. Raul Pino said.

“Women who are pregnant should not travel to areas with Zika. If you must travel to one of these areas, talk to your healthcare provider first and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during your trip," he said. 

"With hundreds of positive cases nationwide, I encourage residents to be vigilant. We at the state level are monitoring the situation with the utmost diligence,” he added.

The Zika virus is active in 37 countries in South and Central America and the Caribbean, according to the CDC.

It also is active in eight countries in Oceania and the South Pacific and one country in Africa, the CDC said.

In addition to Puerto Rico, areas of the United States where it is active include the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa.

Zika virus is spread primarily through mosquito bites, though it also can spread from men to women through sexual transmission.

While illness is usually mild, the possible link with serious birth defects and miscarriages makes prevention of infection among pregnant women essential.

To avoid infections in pregnant women, recommendations include:

[naviga:ul]

[naviga:li]postponing travel to areas where Zika virus is circulating among mosquitoes[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]adopting precautions to avoid mosquito bites if travel is necessary[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]men who travel to affected areas abstaining from sexual activity with a pregnant partner, or using condoms, for the duration of the pregnancy. [/naviga:li]

[/naviga:ul]

Earlier this week, Connecticut reported its first confirmed case of Zika in a pregnant woman.

To date, 426 cases of travel-related Zika have been reported in the continental United States.

Of those, 36 were pregnant women and eight were sexually transmitted.

In Connecticut, 245 patients, including 217 pregnant women, have been tested for Zika virus, the health department said.

More information:

For a map and list of countries where Zika virus is active, visit http://1.usa.gov/1ovAJyh.