The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) said the adult resident had recently traveled to a country where Zika virus transmission has been reported. The infection was confirmed through laboratory testing by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Zika virus is spread to people through mosquito bites. The most common symptoms of the virus include fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes).
The CDC noted that the illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week and severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon.
Virginia Health Commissioner Marissa Levine said: "Zika virus is acquired through the bite of an infected mosquito. Because it is not mosquito season in Virginia, this individual with Zika virus infection poses no risk to other Virginians."
The VDH has urged everyone, particularly pregnant women, to check health travel advisories before leaving the US and to take preventive measures when traveling in affected areas of the world.
Apart from the VDH, the Arkansas Department of Health has also confirmed that a resident of its state who had recently traveled outside the US tested positive for Zika.
The virus was also identified in 19 people in Puerto Rico, with none of them were pregnant women.