Photo courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control, CDC.gov/zika The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued an ongoing alert for travel to areas where Zika fever, an extremely rare disease caused by Zika virus that is spread through mosquito bites, is spreading. Travelers who are pregnant or who are considering pregnancy are urged to consult a doctor.
By Nolan Madden North Country HealthCare has provided a regional public health update on the Zika virus, a rare mosquito-borne viral disease whose resurgence began grabbing news headlines again in May 2015. The agency notes that the infection (pronounced “zy-kuh”) is classified in the same family as dengue fever. It was first identified in humans in east Africa in the 1950s, later spreading to Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. In 2015, outbreaks occurred for the first time in areas of South America, Central America and the Caribbean. Zika virus is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti species mosquito, which live all over the world, including in the United States. According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, the mosquito, while not native to Arizona, has spread into many populated areas of southern Arizona, thriving in its urban and suburban neighborhoods because backyard containers and clutter (tires, buckets, water cans, etc.) offer ideal breeding conditions for them. Local transmission of the virus happens when a mosquito bites an infected person and carries the virus to an uninfected person. Claire Herrick, MD, FACOG, who specializes in obstetrics & gynecology at North Country, says that as the spring and summer months approach in Arizona, and as the Zika virus’ effects are debated in the media as it continues to spread in warmer climates, a few general precautions are in order for northern Arizonans. “The main point is just to avoid exposure. At this point, that means not traveling, or delaying travel, to those places where it’s been confirmed that there is infection going on,” said Herrick. She reports that, so far, there are no cases of local transmission of Zika within the United States, and that all of the reported cases of Zika in the United States were acquired when the person traveled to one of the countries that already has Zika. “If people do choose to go to those areas, they should protect themselves from mosquito bites as much as possible,” Herrick explained. Reports indicate that four out of five people infected with Zika virus won’t have any symptoms at all. For those who do, typical symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, headaches, muscle aches, conjunctivitis (red eyes) and malaise. These symptoms usually appear between two and seven days following exposure. In rare cases, Zika virus may cause severe neurological and autoimmune complications. Herrick also urges specific cautions related to Zika’s potential impact on expectant mothers. “Now that there is more information coming out, this also extends to the partners of people who may become pregnant. A male can contract the infection from a mosquito bite and then infect his female sexual partner, so this means that men who are traveling to these areas should consider abstaining from sex, or using condoms. “We think that condoms offer protection from the Zika virus, we don’t know for sure. Every week there is so much information that continues to come out, and there are more questions than answers, but right now our best recommendation is to try to protect women who are pregnant or may become pregnant,” she said. Zika has been transmitted during pregnancy through the placenta. There is also evidence that Zika can be transmitted sexually and through blood products. There is no evidence that Zika is transmitted through breastfeeding or saliva. So far, Herrick points out, there is no definitive scientific proof that Zika virus causes microcephaly (a birth defect where the baby’s head and brain are very small). “However, a lot of information supports a link, and studies are ongoing. For now, because of this possible link, women who are pregnant or may become pregnant are advised to avoid Zika infection,” she noted. Health agencies say there is currently no specific treatment or vaccine for the Zika virus. Those who are ill are advised simply to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take acetaminophen to help with any fever or aches. Additional recommendations include: * If you travel to an affected area, prevent exposure to mosquitoes by wearing long sleeves, pants and socks, and using repellent. Sleep under mosquito nets at night, if possible, and ensure there are screens on doors and windows. * Avoid or eliminate any open containers of standing water, which are breeding grounds for mosquitoes. * Pregnant women who have traveled to an affected area recently or had sex with someone who has recently traveled to an affected region should contact their primary care physician for advice and testing. An updated list of Zika-affected areas can be found online at http://www. cdc.gov/zika/geo/active-countries.html.
