TIPS TO PROTECT AGAINST THE ZIKA VIRUS, JUNE 2016

In 2015, the Zika virus outbreak began in Brazil and since then has spread to the Americas and the Pacific. In February 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the Zika virus is a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The Zika virus is transmitted and spread by infected Aedes mosquitoes through their bite.

Individuals who get infected with the Zika virus have symptoms that include a skin rash, mild fever, muscle/joint pain along with headaches. Symptoms can last from 2 to 7 days. Not everyone that gets infected will experience these symptoms. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), there is no vaccine to prevent this virus. Avoiding mosquito bites is the best prevention for Zika.

For women who are pregnant, this virus can spread to the fetus during pregnancy or delivery from an infected mother. This virus can cause microcephaly, a birth defect which is an abnormality where the baby’s head is smaller than expected. A baby’s head grows during pregnancy as the brain grows and develops. Microcephaly can happen when the baby’s head does not develop competely. For more information on this virus and pregnancy concerns visit CDC's Zika and Pregnancy web page. The Zika virus can also be transmitted sexually by males who are infected with this virus.

The CDC has issued a travel alert for pregnant women to avoid traveling to countries where the Zika virus is prevalent. If you plan on traveling out of the country and would like more information regarding travel alerts on this virus, go to CDC travelers’ health.

Help prevent Zika virus by taking steps recommended by the CDC to avoid mosquito bites:

• Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts.
• Take measures to control mosquitoes inside and outside your home.
• If you are going to be overseas or outside and are not able to protect yourself from mosquito bites, sleep under a mosquito net.
• Use repellents that are Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered. Make sure that the product contains one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or para-menthane-diol. Use as directed. EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective and can be used by pregnant and breast-feeding women.
  • First read and then follow product instructions on the label.
  • Reapply insect repellent as directed.
  • When using insect repellent do not spray on your skin under clothing.
  • When using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first before applying insect repellent.
• Protect children from getting mosquito bites:
  • Don’t use insect repellent on newborns and infants younger than 2 months old.
  • Don’t use products containing para-menthane-diol or oil of lemon eucalyptus on a child younger than 3 years old.
  • Dress children in clothing that will cover their legs and arms.
  • Cover stroller, crib, and baby carrier with mosquito netting.
  • Don’t apply repellent onto a child’s mouth, eyes, hands, or cut or irritated skin.
  • Adults should spray insect repellent into their hands first, then apply to a child’s face.
• Treat gear and clothing with permethrin or buy permethrin-treated clothing.
  • Treated clothing stays protective after several washings. Check out the product information to learn how long protection lasts.
  • If you are treating items, make sure to follow the product instructions.
  • Don’t use products containing permethrin directly on your skin. These products are meant to treat clothing.

The CDC has also put together a map of potential spreading of the Zika virus in the U.S. You can check out this map to see the locations where this virus is spreading. Also, consult with your health provider to determine your risk level when traveling out of the United States.

Contributed by: The Physician Alliance, one of Michigan’s largest physician organizations serving more than 2,200 physicians in southeast Michigan.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ChoosingWisely.org, World Health Organization, American College of Physicians, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Medical Association, Mayo Clinic, Medscape

This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your doctor for more information or if you have a medical concern.

To read previous blog articles, visit our Blog Archives page.