Researchers suspect the mosquito-borne Zika virus could also be transmitted through sexual contact.
"The primary way that Zika is spread is going to be through mosquito bites, however from research is showing that there's a possibility of it can also be spread sexually as well," said Dr. Christopher Perkins, medical director of Dallas County Health and Human Services.
International health officials say the Zika virus is "spreading explosively" in the Americas. The World Health Organization predicts there could be up to four million cases over the next year.
The virus has been linked to a spike in a rare birth defect in Brazil, and there is no medical defense against the infection.
The aedes aegypti mosquito that can transmit the Zika virus can be found in North Texas, most often hidden near homes.
"It's a mosquito that lives very closely to man," said Patrick Prather with Municipal Mosquito in Richardson. "So, trash, buckets, things that are out in the yard collecting water, trash that's along the side of the road, those mosquitoes are very at home breeding in those places."
Two cases of the virus are now reported in Southeast Texas; both people infected in another country.
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With local mosquitoes able to transmit the virus, imported cases like those cause serious concern.
"They can introduce the virus into the local mosquito population and then that can start a vicious cycle," Perkins said.
