Thursday, February 4, 2016

Zika Virus Guidelines for Iowans

If you have plans to travel to a warm area, Grinnell Regional Public Health wants to share information to help protect you from potential Zika virus. The virus is spread through mosquito bites so the only mode of prevention is to avoid mosquitoes. This usually means using an insect repellant and covering your skin with long sleeves and long pants. The mosquitoes that carry Zika virus are not established in Iowa; however, travelers could potentially bring it to the state.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, no vaccine is available to prevent the viral disease Zika. About one in fine people infected with Zika virus become ill and develop Zika disease. Healthy adults who are bite by a mosquito infected with the Zika may not experience any symptoms or concerns.

 The public health concern arises for pregnant women, who when infected with the Zika virus, could experience negative effects on the pregnancy and the unborn child.

Until more is known, CDC recommends special precautions for pregnant women and women trying to become pregnant. Pregnant women in any trimester should consider postponing travel to the areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. Pregnant women and women planning to become pregnant, who do travel to one of these areas should talk to their doctor or other healthcare provider first and strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites during the trip.

The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes). Other common symptoms include muscle pain and headache. The incubation period (the time from exposure to symptoms) for Zika virus disease is not known, but is likely to be a few days to a week. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week. There is no treatment for the virus.

Anyone traveling to areas where the Zika virus is active should view the CDC website prior to travel and review precautionary steps. The CDC has a dedicated site for the Zika virus at www.cdc.gov/zika.


For more information, contact Grinnell Regional Public Health at 641-236-2385.

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