Prince George's County, Maryland, USA
Interior Nat Harbor

Zika Virus

Zika Image

Zika virus is a virus spread through mosquito bites of Aedes species mosquitoes. Aedes mosquitoes also spread dengue and chikungunya viruses.

Symptoms

Most people infected with Zika virus won’t even know they have the disease because they won’t have symptoms. The most common symptoms of Zika are:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Joint Pain
  • Muscle Pain
  • Red Eyes
  • Skin Rash

Treatment

There is no medicine or vaccine to treat ZIKA virus disease.

  • See your medical provider for follow-up.
  • Get plenty of rest and drink fluids to prevent dehydration.
  • Take medicines, such as acetaminophen, to relieve fever and pain.
  • Avoid Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs until dengue (a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people), can be ruled out to reduce the risk of bleeding.

Prevention

Steps to prevent mosquito bites:

  • Use insect repellents and wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
  • Use air conditioning or window/door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.
  • Use mosquito bed nets if accessible during your travels.
  • Empty standing water from containers such as flowerpots or buckets.

Transmission

Zika virus is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito.

Through mosquito bites: Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on a person already infected with the virus. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to other people through bites.

Through infected blood: Currently, there are no cases related to blood transfusions in the U.S, However, there are reported cases in Brazil.

Through sexual contact: A man with Zika Virus symptoms can pass the virus to his sex partners before symptoms start and after symptoms resolve. The virus is present in semen longer than blood.

Men who reside in or have traveled to an area of active Zika virus transmission and who have a pregnant partner should abstain from sexual activity or consistently and correctly use condoms during sex (i.e. vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse, or fellatio) for the duration of the pregnancy.

From mother to child: A mother already infected with Zika virus can pass the virus to her newborn during pregnancy or around the time of birth. If transmitted, the baby may develop brain abnormalities.

Pregnant Women

  • CDC recommends that all pregnant women who have traveled to or reside in areas with known Zika transmission be offered Zika virus testing.
  • Postpone travel to the areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.
  • Use EPA-registered insect repellent and follow the instructions provided.
  • Talk to a healthcare provider first and strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites during the trip.

Areas at Risk for Zika

  • There is no current local transmission of Zika virus in the continental United States.
  • The last case of local Zika transmission by mosquitoes in the continental Unites States were in Florida and Texas in 2016-2017.
  • Since 2019, there have been no confirmed Zika virus disease cases reported from United States territories.
  • No Zika virus transmission by mosquitoes has ever been reported in Alaska and Hawaii.