Article has been updated to include exact location and number of Zika reports.

Bridget Reed Morawski

WASHINGTON — (WMAL) Twenty-five Virginians have now contracted the Zika virus, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

Reported infections have risen each week. On May 5, the Virginia Department of Health reported 13 identified cases of the disease; by June 9, that figure had risen to 25 identified cases.

The cases were spread throughout the state, though northern Virginia had 14 known infections, the highest of any other part of the state. Five cases were reported in central Virginia, and three were reported in northwest Virginia. Southwest Virginia has seen two cases, while only one has been recorded in eastern Virginia.

All have been linked to foreign travel.

However, Dr. David Goodfriend, the Director of the Loudoun County Department of Health, says that local contractions could occur through these travel-related cases.

“The main concern is that if someone who contracted Zika outside of the United States comes into our region and gets bitten by local mosquitos, those local mosquitos could potentially get infected,” said Dr. Goodfriend.  “And when that mosquito goes for another blood meal, passes it on to another person. We don’t know at all if that will happen in our region, but we are preparing for that.”

Another concern is that many people who have contracted Zika, but have not felt ill, have not been tested.

“Most people who are infected with Zika never have symptoms, so we would expect that most people would never get tested, even if they are infected,” said Dr. Goodfriend.

While young children and men without sexual partners are least likely to suffer from the more extreme side effects of the Zika virus, women, pregnant or otherwise, and men with sexual partners should take particular care about their exposure to mosquitos and those who have traveled to foreign countries.

Residents concerned about contracting the disease, or those who just want to combat high mosquito populations in their backyards, have options.

Wearing mosquito repellent is a strong step in preventing the spread of Zika and other mosquito-borne disease. However, minimizing mosquito breeding grounds by dumping out stagnant pools of water, such as flower pots or outdoor containers, can minimize seasonal mosquito populations.

Copyright 2016 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (Photo: Wikimedia)