Zika Virus

There is no vaccine or medicine for Zika. Prevention is key. Zika virus is very rarely fatal, and once a person has been infected with Zika, they are likely to be protected from future infections.

• Zika is spread mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus). These mosquitoes bite during the day and night.
• Zika can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. Infection during pregnancy can cause certain birth defects.
• There is no vaccine or medicine for Zika.
• Local mosquito-borne Zika virus transmission has been reported in the continental United States.

How Zika spreads

Zika can be transmitted in the following ways:

• Through bites from infected mosquitos (most common)
• From a pregnant woman to her fetus
• Through sex
• Through blood transfusion (very likely but not confirmed)
• Through laboratory and healthcare setting exposure

Many people infected with Zika won’t have symptoms or will only have mild symptoms; however, Zika can still be transmitted without symptoms present.

Zika symptoms

Symptoms can last for several days to a week. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika. The most common symptoms of Zika are

• Fever
• Rash
• Joint pain
• Red eyes

Other symptoms include

• Muscle pain
• Headache

Why Zika is risky for some people

Zika infection during pregnancy can cause a birth defect of the brain called microcephaly and other severe brain defects. It is also linked to other problems, such as miscarriage, stillbirth, and other birth defects. There have also been increased reports of Guillain-Barré syndrome, an uncommon sickness of the nervous system, in areas affected by Zika. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant before your international travel, speak to your travel medicine specialist for guidance.

How to prevent Zika

There is no vaccine to prevent Zika. The best way to prevent diseases spread by mosquitoes is to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites following these precautions:

Clothing

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
• Treat your clothing and gear with permethrin or buy pre-treated items.

Insect repellent

• Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone. Always follow the product label instructions.
• When used as directed, these insect repellents are proven safe and effective even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
• Do not use insect repellents on babies younger than 2 months old.
• Do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol on children younger than 3 years old.

Sleeping and Accommodations

• Stay in places with air conditioning and window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.
• Take steps to control mosquitoes inside and outside your home.
• Mosquito netting can be used to cover babies younger than 2 months old in carriers, strollers, or cribs.
• Sleep under a mosquito bed net if air conditioned or screened rooms are not available or if sleeping outdoors.

Sexual transmission

• Prevent sexual transmission of Zika by using condoms or abstaining from sex.

How Zika is diagnosed

• Diagnosis of Zika is based on a person’s recent travel history, symptoms, and test results.
• A blood or urine test can confirm a Zika infection.
• Symptoms of Zika are similar to other illnesses spread through mosquito bites.
• Your doctor or travel medicine specialist may order tests to look for several types of infections.

What to do if you have Zika

There is no specific medicine or vaccine for Zika virus, so treat the symptoms:

• Get plenty of rest.
• Drink fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Take medicine such as acetaminophen to reduce fever and pain.
• Do not take aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• If you are taking medicine for another medical condition, talk to your doctor or travel medicine specialist before taking additional medication.