Zika Update: U.S. Sees First Zika-Related Death

A woman in Utah who was infected with Zika virus has died in late June, health officials confirmed.

According to officials, the unidentified elderly woman, who was a resident of Salt Lake County in Utah, was said to have an underlying health condition and had traveled to a country where the Zika virus was spreading.

"While this individual did test positive for Zika virus, the exact cause of death has not been determined, and it may not be possible to determine how the Zika infection contributed to the death," the Salt Lake City Health Department (SLCoHD) said in a report in Time.com.

"Due to health privacy laws, health officials will not release further details about the individual or the individual's travel history."

Health officials also confirmed that this is the first case of Zika-related death in the continental U.S. But while there is no threat of the virus infection in the area, the SLCoHD strongly urges residents to be aware of the threats before traveling to infected areas.

"This unfortunate situation is a tragic reminder of how important it is to receive proper pre-travel education and to protect yourself from mosquitoes when traveling abroad," Dr. Dagmat Vitek, SLCoHD director, told Time.com.

"In addition to Zika, travelers need to be mindful of other diseases found around the world, including mosquito-borne illnesses like Dengue fever, malaria, and chikungunya," Vitek added.

Health officials also warn that Zika virus can spread through sexual activity, and that pregnant women or women who are trying to get pregnant should not engage in unprotected sex with partners who have recently traveled to Zika-affected areas.

Moreover, the SLCoHD encourages people who are experiencing any illness after traveling to contact their health care provider, officials said in a statement reported by FoxNews.com.

There are 1,132 travel-associated Zika cases in the U.S., the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said.

Just recently, another Zika-related death was recorded in U.S. territory Puerto Rico, where the person suffered severe internal bleeding.