WATCH: Officials say Zika Outbreak “Unlikely” in SC

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) – State officials say it’s unlikely South Carolina will experience an outbreak of Zika, but they want residents to be vigilant about protecting themselves from contracting mosquito-born illness.

So far, the SC Department of Health and Environmental control reports 33 people who have gotten Zika, from mosquitoes outside state lines.

“If we see anything in South Carolina as far as local transmissions, it’s probably gonna be very localized, and nothing of a wide-scale impact that folks are scared of,” DHEC spokesman Robert Yanity said.

We’ve heard about the dangers of the virus in pregnant women, but for everyone else, the sickness it can bring on is similar to a mild case of the flu. Symptoms include a rash, fever, weakness in your joints and red eyes, which show up within a week and last just as long.

“Even though school is back in, and fall is right around the corner, we’re still seeing a lot of mosquitoes, so we have to be vigilant,” Yanity said. Wear bug spray, try to cover up if you’re working outside and don’t create any potential breading grounds. Make sure to tip things that collect water, like flower pots and gutters.