Facts About Zika Virus Disease

Zika Virus Disease: Symptoms & Prevention

Because of the Zika outbreak in the United States in 2016 and 2017, many people have been on high alert. It is important to understand the facts, preventative steps you can take to protect yourself and your family, and the role mosquito control can play. News like this can be overwhelming and scary, but in addition to the guidance from the CDC, Mosquito Joe is here to help.

Zika Virus Disease: Symptoms & Prevention

Mosquitoes Spread the Zika Virus to the US - Learn How to Protect Yourself - Mosquito Joe

The Zika virus is primarily spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito of the Aedes species.
Symptoms of Zika are typically very mild and many of those infected don’t actually experience them. The most common symptoms are joint pain, muscle pain, fever, rash or conjunctivitis.
Zika is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, moving from person to person, spreading the virus among humans. It can be transmitted from a pregnant mother to her baby during pregnancy, resulting in severe birth defects such as microcephaly and Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Zika is also sexually transmittable from an infected male to his partner during unprotected sex.
There have been 5,700 reported cases of Zika in the United States. The majority of those cases were travelers who acquired the disease from affected areas. 52 cases were reportedly transmitted via sexual transmission and 2 cases were acquired from mother to child through pregnancy and childbirth.
While there is no specific treatment or vaccine for Zika at this time, it is recommended that those infected remain hydrated and that medicine such as Tylenol to reduce fever and pain. You should see a healthcare professional immediately if you believe you have contracted the disease.
Zika is still very much a domestic concern. As of May 2, 2018, 21 cases of Zika have been reported in the United States this year. Those who were infected were travelers returning from affected areas. Many popular travel destinations such as the Caribbean, Mexico, South and Central America, the Pacific Islands, and countries in Africa and Asia are at risk. Mosquitoes that spread Zika typically live in areas where the altitude is below 6,500 feet.

In 2016, there were over 5,000 cases of Zika reported in the United States. The following year, the number of cases dwindled to almost 500. Despite there being fewer cases of Zika each year, the illness is still an imminent threat for travelers. Millions of cases are actively being reported in South and Central America. The World Health Organization continues its public health emergency, urging those destined for affected countries to postpone or cancel their plans.

Since there is no treatment for Zika virus, the best way to protect yourself is to guard against mosquito bites. Mosquito control services such as our barrier treatments will dramatically reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard, protecting you and your family for up to 21 days at a time. In addition to this line of defense, you can eliminate breeding areas in your yard to keep mosquitoes from laying eggs.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) serves as your best resource for learning more about the Zika virus. Since Zika doesn't currently have a cure, the best option to defend against it is knowledge. The more you can learn about Zika, the more prepared you can be. If you're planning on traveling, be sure to look ahead and see if the location you're going to has had any cases of Zika by checking here.
The National Pest Management Association manages PestWorld.org, an online resource that educates about the risks associated with pests like mosquitoes. A recent article on their site details the most important information about Zika and mosquitoes.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has put together a Zika fact sheet that provides all the details you need about the virus, like signs and symptoms, ways the virus transmits and preventative measures.

Disclaimer: Mosquito Joe does not make any claims that using our products or services will prevent you or anyone you know from contracting the Zika virus. However, because Zika virus is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, taking measures to reduce the mosquito population around your home is important to consider if you are in a highly affected region. Please leverage the resources above for more information on Zika virus and feel free to contact your local Mosquito Joe to learn more about how you can eliminate mosquitoes around your yard.

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