Dallas County began testing for Zika earlier this month.
Houston (WBAP/KLIF News) – Two hospitals in Houston have developed a test for Zika virus that can return results in as little as one day.
Right now, hospitals must send samples to the Centers for Disease Control for testing. The process can take up to a month.
Scientists at Houston Methodist and Texas Children’s have developed a test that can detect genetic material from the virus in blood, spinal fluid or urine. They say the test can distinguish Zika from other mosquito-borne illnesses, such as West Nile or chikungunya.
At least 82 Americans have been diagnosed with Zika. Most had traveled to Central or South America. One person caught the virus after sexual contact in Dallas.
In Dallas, the health department has started testing for the virus locally. Health Director Zach Thompson has said local testing will cut wait times.
Thompson says quicker test results will become more important as the mosquito population returns this spring.
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