The first Harris County case of Chikungunya, a virus transmitted by mosquitoes, has been confirmed by the Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services.

Chikungunya outbreaks have occurred in African, Asian, European countries, and the Indian and Pacific Oceans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus, which is rarely deadly, was found in the Americas and some Caribbean islands in late 2013.

While the Chikungunya virus has never been transmitted within the United States, some U.S. travelers visiting those areas have contracted the virus. The first Harris County case was confirmed last week by the HCPHES, about one week after the Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed the first Texas case in Williamson County, just north of Austin.

"[The patient was] an elderly male that was traveling in the Caribbean; he has been treated, got diagnosed and now he is doing better," HCPHES Director of Mosquito Control Division Dr. Mustapha Debboun said. "From Houston I am sure other people are traveling [to the Caribbean] too, and we hope they don't, but it is a possibility they might pick up the virus and bring it back to the United States."

The Chikungunya virus is spread via Aedes mosquitoes, which are present in Texas, and because there is no vaccine to prevent the virus health officials urge travelers and residents to take preventative measures to avoid contracting Chikungunya, or other viruses.

Symptoms of Chikungunya are similar to Dengue Fever and commonly include fever and joint pain and may include headaches, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rashes, according to the CDC.

"There is some thought that at some point we may start to see local transmission of the cases if someone that is infected elsewhere comes back to Texas," Van Duesen said. "We do have the Aedes mosquitoes, so if a mosquito bites someone that is infected, that can affect the mosquito and then transmit the disease to a new person, when that mosquito later bites somebody else. That is a possibility. We can't say for sure that we will see that happen, but that is something we are on the lookout for."

Similarly, the DSHS confirmed the states first Texas case of West Nile in early July in Travis County, and health officials urge Texas residents to take preventative measures to prevent the spread of mosquito borne diseases.

The CDC and other experts recommend travelers and residents use insect repellent at all times of the day, wear long sleeves and pants, and stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens, dispose of free standing water.