The Zika virus is a disease that is spread through an infected Aedes species mosquito. Before 2015, the Zika virus outbreaks occurred in areas of Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands but since 2015 there were outbreaks in Brazil. There are many other outbreaks in other countries and it is difficult to determine where it will spread next. Currently, there are only travel-associated cases in the U.S.; the majority of cases are in New York and Florida.
How is the Zika virus transmitted?
Zika virus can be transmitted through mosquito bites. It is also passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus during pregnancy. The virus is also transmitted through sexual contact before symptoms, during and after symptoms resolve. The virus is present in semen longer than in blood. Lastly, the virus is transmitted through blood transfusion.
What are the symptoms of the Zika virus?
Fever
Rash
Joint pain
Conjunctivitis (red eye)
The symptoms are usually mild and last from several days to a week; therefore many people do not go to the hospital after being infected. Some may not even know they are infected however being infected with the Zika virus while pregnant can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly. Microcephaly is a birth defect where the baby’s head is smaller compared to other babies of the same sex and age. This can occur because the baby’s brain had not developed properly during pregnancy or has stopped growing after birth. Microcephaly has been linked to seizures, developmental delay, intellectual disability, hearing loss, vision problems, issues with movement and balance and feeding problems.
How is the Zika virus treated?
Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent or treat Zika virus. To treat symptoms, get plenty of rest and drink fluids to prevent dehydration. To reduce fever and pain, take medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol). Talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider before taking additional medications. If you are infected, during the first week of your illness, prevent mosquito bites as mosquitoes can spread the virus to others. Once a person is infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections.
How can you prevent getting the Zika virus?
Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent the Zika virus disease. You can prevent Zika by avoiding mosquito bites. If you are returning to the United States from an area with Zika virus, even if you do not feel sick, avoid mosquito bites for 3 weeks to prevent spreading the Zika virus. To prevent mosquito bites wear long clothing, use insect repellent, and stay in places with air conditioning. Some insect repellents you can use are DEET, picaridin, IR3535 and oil of lemon eucalyptus.
Mosquitoes like dark, humid areas such as patio furniture, garages, under sinks, in closets, laundry room, etc. To prevent mosquitoes from breeding be sure to tightly cover water storage containers so that mosquitoes cannot get inside to lay eggs. Empty or throw out any items that hold water like vases, flower pot saucers, tires, buckets, birdbaths, pools, planters, toys and trash containers.
Pregnant women should talk to a doctor if they or their male sex partners recently traveled to an area with Zika. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Zika virus can be spread from an infected male to his sexual partners and therefore condoms should be used correctly when having vaginal, anal and oral sex. Abstinence is the only way to ensure someone does not get sexually transmitted Zika virus.
This information was provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
For more information about Zika virus visit http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html