AUGUSTA (AP) — A Maine resident tested positive for the Zika virus after traveling to a country that’s dealing with an outbreak of the mosquito-borne virus, representing the first case of a traveler from the state contracting the virus, officials said Thursday.

The resident was identified only as a Hancock County adult, age 65 or older. No other details, including the country where the person traveled, were provided by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.

The virus represents little threat to the public because mosquitoes that carry the virus are not found in Maine and “your neighbor who has come home from a trip to South America cannot transmit the virus to you,” said Dr. Siiri Bennett, state epidemiologist.

Its transmission to U.S. travelers in countries dealing with infections has been viewed inevitable. There already have been cases recorded elsewhere in the country.

Zika is rapidly spreading through Latin America, and scientists are studying the virus’ possible connection to babies born with unusually small heads. The birth defect is called microcephaly.

The virus causes an illness that’s so mild most people don’t realize they’ve contracted it, Bennett said, but it is a concern for pregnant women and women who’re trying to get pregnant because of the possible link to birth defects.

Because men can transmit the virus through sex, the virus is a concern for the male sex partners of women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, she said.

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