Zika Virus:
Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavi-virus known to circulate historically in Africa, the Americas, Western Pacific and Southern Asia. In May 2015 it was detected for the first time in the Western Hemisphere in Brazil. The disease is transmitted by the bite of female Aedes mosquitoes (which bite during morning, late afternoon/early evening), the same mosquito responsible for transmission of dengue, west nile, chikungunya and yellow fever virus.
It has been detected in travellers going to or returning from the tropical and sub tropical regions. There is no indication for a person to person spread via casual contact, however the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has been investigating three U.S cases of Zika virus infection in non-travellers in continental U.S after sexual contact with symptomatic male partners.Recent evidence suggests possible association between maternal Zika virus infections and adverse fetal outcomes as congenital microcephaly and Guillaine-Barre Syndrome
Symptoms:
Most infected people are asymptomatic (80%) the incubation period is unclear but likely a few days. Symptomatic patients (1 in 5) develop mild and self-limiting symptoms as fever, rash, joint pain, conjunctivitis and body aches lasting 2 to 7 days, any hospitalizations with severe disease are uncommon. Despite the mild symptoms, Zika virus warnings are focused on pregnant women particularly during the first trimester as it is suspected to cause neurological birth defects. CDC recommends pregnant women consider postponing their travel to areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission.
It is diagnosed through PCR and virus isolation in blood samples. Currently, no vaccine or medication exists to prevent or treat Zika Virus infection. The WHO recommends prevention measures as mosquito control and personal protection.
Risk in Ohio:
The primary mosquito that transmits Zika virus, Aedes aegyptiis found in tropics and southern United States and not established in Ohio, although Ohio may harbor other Aedes species but their ability to transmit Zika is unclear. As a precaution, it is advised that suspected cases of Zika virus avoid mosquito exposure for the week after symptom onset when mosquitoes are active May-October, to prevent infecting the mosquito with Zika virus from biting a patient and spreading to other people. According to the CDC there have been 2 reported cases in Ohio in returning travelers from Haiti. The cases are not linked.
Prevention and precautions:
To prevent human to mosquito to human transmissions, persons infected with Zika, dengue or chikungunya virus should protect themselves from mosquito exposure in the first week of illness.
The young children, the unwell/sick and the elderly should be given more attention.
Personal protection for travellers/non-travellers includes
1.Wear light colored long sleeved shirts and long pants
2. Sleep under mosquito net if sleeping outside
3. Stay indoors. If travelling stay where there is air conditioning or use of window and door screens.
4. Wear EPA registered insect repellent at all times, following label instructionsdo not apply to babies younger than 2 months of age (also safe in pregnancy).
DEET
Picaridin
Oil of lemon eucalyptus
Para menthane diol
IR3535
5. Use permethrin treated gear when outdoors or travelling.
6. Clean, empty, cover or dispose containers that hold water.
For more information on zika virus visit:
- CDC Zika Virus Information
- CDC Zika Virus Travel Notices
- CDC Zika-Affected Areas
- Pan-American Health Organization Zika Information