Main Line Health Infectious Disease Expert Offers Zika Epidemic Advice

MALVERN, PA -- An expert on infectious diseases at Main Line Health offered several local high school students advice on the Zika virus epidemic as they prepared for a trip to Costa Rica.

Villa Maria Academy High School juniors, seniors and their parents are headed to the nation for humanitarian work.

“Traveling to areas affected by the Zika Virus, such as Central America, does pose a risk,” said Dr. Mark Ingerman, MLH Chief of Infectious Diseases. “The overall risk for this group is small, particularly if appropriate preventive measures are taken.”

Two Main Line Health physicians and parent chaperones for the trip, Dr. Greg Higbee, Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Department, and Dr. Helen Kuroki, Riddle Hospital OB/GYN and Vice President of Medical Affairs, invited Ingerman to speak about the virus and the potential risks associated with their upcoming trip.

“As a chaperone and a parent of a student going on the trip, I am relieved that Dr. Ingerman came to Villa Maria to dispel myths about the Zika virus,” said Helen Kuroki, MD. “Dr. Ingerman also evaluated the risk for our group and I was comforted by his assessment of our low risk factor.”

Ingerman encouraged the use of insect repellant on their skin and permethrin insecticide to be applied to their clothing. He also encouraged the students to keep their skin covered, particularly when the mosquitoes are most prevalent, during dusk and dawn.

Because the risk of contracting the virus is relatively low for this group, Ingerman encouraged each family to make their own informed decisions about whether or not to travel.