Zika Information
The Public Health Department continues to closely monitor the evolving Zika virus situation and recommends residents be aware of risks associated with travel to areas with Zika virus transmission and what precautions they should take.
Health care providers may find information about Zika virus testing services available at our County Public Health Laboratory in this Specimen Collection and Transport fact sheet or by calling (805) 781-5507.
Zika virus is transmitted to humans primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito (yellow fever mosquito) or Aedes albopictus mosquito (Asian tiger mosquito). These mosquitoes are not native to California. However, since 2011 they have been detected in several California counties. The Aedes mosquito has not been detected in San Luis Obispo County, although it is present in 22 other California counties, including Santa Barbara County and Kern County. There has been no local mosquito bite transmission of Zika virus in California to date, and the risk in our state remains low.
Zika virus infections in California have been documented only in people who were infected while traveling outside the United States or through sexual contact with an infected traveler. More information specific to California is available from the California Department of Public Health Zika page.
For information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), see Zika Virus|CDC.