Nine Allegheny County residents have been diagnosed with the Zika virus since early this year, the county health department said Monday. That's up from seven cases as of last week.

All but one are linked to travel in Zika-stricken areas outside the continental United States, health department spokeswoman Melissa Wade said. The exception was at the University of Pittsburgh, where a laboratory accident infected a worker who has since recovered.

Statewide, patient tests have confirmed 82 cases of the mosquito-borne virus, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Public health officials have tied nearly all Zika cases on the U.S. mainland to travel outside the continental U.S. 

Within the continental states, mosquitoes carrying Zika have been found only in the Miami area. Most infected people show no symptoms, although the illness in pregnant women can lead to birth defects. Common symptoms include a fever, rash and joint pain. The disease also can spread through sexual contact.

Daniel Chang

4 more local Zika cases reported in Miami — and first one in Pinellas County

First Published: August 23, 2016, 1:01 p.m.
Updated: August 23, 2016, 1:11 p.m.