Zika is a disease that is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito.
How is Zika transmitted?
Zika is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. The mosquitoes that spread Zika virus bite mostly during the daytime, and are the same mosquitoes that spread dengue and chikungunya viruses. Zika has been isolated in human semen; further study is needed to determine whether sexual contact might be a means of Zika transmission. It can also be transmitted from a pregnant mother to her baby during pregnancy or around the time of birth.
What are the symptoms of Zika?
About one in five people infected with Zika will get sick. For people who get sick, the illness is usually mild. For this reason, many people might not realize they have been infected.The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes). Symptoms typically begin two to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Some of these are the same as symptoms of dengue and chikungunya, which can be transmitted by the same mosquitoes. Hospitalization and death from Zika virus infection are rare.
Who is at risk of being infected?
Anyone who is living in or traveling to an area where Zika virus is found who has not already been infected with Zika virus, and is bitten by infected mosquitoes, is at risk for infection, including pregnant women.
What countries have Zika? The outbreak of Zika virus has been expanding in South and Central America, Puerto Rico, and some Caribbean islands. An updated list of countries can be found on the CDC website.
What can people do to prevent becoming infected with Zika?
There is no vaccine to prevent Zika. The best way to prevent diseases spread by mosquitoes is to avoid being bitten. Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites.
Here’s how:
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
- Stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.
- Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents. These include DEET, picardin, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or PMD, and IR3535.
- Treat clothing and gear with permethrin or purchase permethrin-treated items.
- Reduce outdoor standing water.
There is no vaccine or specific medicine to treat Zika virus infections.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.
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