Travelers Advised to Prevent Zika Virus Infection by Avoiding Mosquito Bites

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health’s Infectious Disease Epidemiology Section has issued a public information bulletin about the Zika virus and Zika disease. Zika disease is caused by the Zika virus, which is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito.

The most common symptoms of Zika include:

  • fever,
  • rash,
  • joint pain, and
  • conjunctivitis (red eyes).

Other common symptoms include muscle pain and headache. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week.

Currently, Mexico, Puerto Rice and many countries in South and Central America are experiencing Zika outbreaks. Prior to 2015, Zika virus outbreaks have occurred in areas of Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. To date, there is no evidence that mosquitoes in Louisiana are carrying the disease, and the chance of getting Zika disease from a mosquito in the United States in low.

People intending to travel to any areas where Zika outbreaks are occurring or have occurred in the past are advised to take steps to protect themselves from insect bites. To prevent bites, travelers are advised to:

  • Wear long sleeved shirts and long pants
  • Stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside
  • Use EPA-registered insect repellant (find more information on insect repellant on the CDC’s website

If you are not sure if your travel destination has been affected by Zika, check the CDC’s up-to-date list of Zika-affected areas.

Pregnant women (of any trimester) have been advised by the CDC to be particularly careful to avoid infection, as there have been reports in Brazil of microcephaly (abnormal smallness of the head associated with incomplete brain development) and other poor outcomes in babies of mothers who were infected with Zika virus while
pregnant. However, the relationship between maternal Zika infection and birth outcomes is still unclear, and more studies are needed to determine if Zika and
microcephaly are indeed linked.

Until we know more, the CDC recommends that women consider postponing travel to areas experiencing Zika outbreaks. If this is not possible, pregnant women traveling to these areas should speak to their doctor and strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites during the trip. For more information about the CDC’s recommendations for pregnant women, visit their website.

 

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