WHAT IS ZIKA VIRUS AND SHOULD WE BE CONCERNED?
What is Zika Virus?
Zika is an infectious disease caused by the Zika virus, which is transmitted to people by Aedes mosquitoes. Symptoms of Zika typically include fever, rash, joint pain, and/or red eyes.
Where does Zika occur?
Zika occurs in many tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world, particularly in Africa, Southeast Asia, and islands in the Pacific Ocean. Recent outbreaks have occurred in
Latin America and the Caribbean.
How do people get Zika?
Zika virus is transmitted by
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (also known as yellow fever mosquitoes) and by
Aedes albopictus mosquitoes (also known as Asian tiger mosquitoes). These mosquitoes are not native to California. However, since 2011 they have been
detected in several California counties. An
Aedes mosquito can only transmit Zika virus after it bites a person who has this virus in their blood. Thus far in California, Zika virus infections have only been documented in a few people who were infected while traveling outside the United States. Zika virus is not spread through casual contact such as touching or hugging an infected person.
Have the mosquitoes that transmit Zika virus been found in Contra Costa County?
What are the symptoms of Zika?
Most people infected with Zika virus have no symptoms. If symptoms develop, the most common are fever, rash, joint pain, and/or red eyes. Symptoms usually begin 3-7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito and last several days to a week. There are other causes of fever and painful joints. If you have recently traveled to an area where Zika virus is present and you have these symptoms, your healthcare provider can order different tests to help determine the cause.
What's the relationship between Zika virus and microcephaly in newborns?
There is a possible association between Zika and
microcephaly (abnormally small head and brain) in newborns. It is suspected that women who get infected with Zika virus may pass the virus to the developing fetus if they are pregnant. However, there are many causes of microcephaly in babies, and whether Zika virus infection causes microcephaly has not been confirmed. Studies are needed to understand this possible relationship.
- Until more is known, and out of an abundance of caution, the California Department of Public Health recommends special travel precautions for pregnant women and women trying to become pregnant:
- Pregnant women in any trimester should consider postponing travel to areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. Pregnant women who must travel to one of these areas should talk to their healthcare provider first and strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites during the trip.
- Women trying to become pregnant should consult with their healthcare provider before traveling to these areas and strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites during the trip.
- Pregnant women who traveled to an area with ongoing Zika virus transmission during pregnancy should be evaluated for Zika virus infection if they had any symptoms suggestive of Zika or if their baby has evidence of microcephaly. Other mosquito-borne virus infections, such as dengue and chikungunya, should be ruled out in these patients.
(Source of information February 2016: California Department of Public Health