The first case of the Zika virus reported in Texas by health officials is most likely to have been contracted by mosquitoes locally. This latest information makes Texas the second state to report a possible internal transmission of the virus known to be linked to birth defects.

According to Reuters, the case of the Zika virus involves a woman living near the Mexican border. Texas state Department Health officials said the woman was not pregnant.

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The major health concern surrounding the Zika virus is its ability to cause severe long-term birth defects, especially the condition known as microcephaly. This condition causes infants to be born with an abnormally small head and limited brain development.

The United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention is reportedly coordinating with Texas state officials to increase the level of awareness about the virus. Health officials have begun operations to control vector transmission activities by spraying for adult mosquitoes. Officials are also looking at destroying mosquito breeding larvae.

The state of Texas is one of the few states in the United States of America which has the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that carry the Zika virus.

"We knew it was only a matter of time before we saw a Zika case spread by a mosquito in Texas," Texas Department of State Health Services commissioner, Dr. John Hellerstedt, said in a statement.

Dr.  Hellerstedt is hopeful that the state will be capable of controlling further transmission. However, he warned that residents needed to protect themselves from possible mosquito bites. Dr. Hellerstedt further added that people who stay in areas which become humid during the winter need to be careful.

According to the BBC, Texas has had more than 200 cases of Zika virus. However, previous cases have been associated with transmission through travel. This is the first case that has not been linked to travel.

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