RICHMOND (WSLS 10) - The Virginia Department of Health confirmed its first Zika virus infection in an adult on Tuesday. The adult recently traveled to a country where the Zika virus transmission is ongoing. These cases where a person travels abroad and contracts the virus can sometimes be called an "imported" case.

The Centers for Disease Control issued a travel alert for people traveling abroad to regions where the virus is ongoing. This warning comes after reports of an increase amount of infants born in Brazil with unusually small heads and other poor pregnancy outcomes. Meanwhile, the association between Zika virus and birth defects has not been established and is being further investigated.

"Zika virus is acquired through the bite of an infected mosquito. Because it is not mosquito season in Virginia, this individual with Zika virus infection poses no risk to other Virginians," said State Health Commissioner Marissa J. Levine, MD, MPH, FAAFP."

However, people should be cautious because the colder winter months is the time of year when more people travel outside of the country to warmer climates where Zika virus can be found. Woman who are pregnant are strongly encouraged to avoid going to countries that have the virus. The Virginia Health Department says if pregnant women do decide to travel abroad during pregnancy, they should check health travel advisories before leaving the United States.

The most common symptoms of Zika virus include:

fever

rash

joint pain

conjunctivitis (red eyes)

Symptoms can last for several days up to a week. There is no vaccine to prevent Zika virus and no medication to treat it once a person is infected.