Facts About Zika virus
WHAT IS ZIKA VIRUS AND SHOULD WE BE CONCERNED?
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. 
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. 
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. 
No. Currently there are 23 species of mosquitoes in Contra Costa County  and the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus have not been found here. District personnel continue to monitor for the species.
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. 
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
  Where Mosquitoes Thrive
Leaves in clogged gutter
CLOGGED RAIN GUTTERS HIDE THOUSANDS OF MOSQUITOES IN PLAIN SIGHT
Drain rain gutters and save rain water safely
Look up. Tens of thousands of mosquitoes may be thriving in rain gutters that surround your house.
 
Branches and leaves often clog rain gutters and keep water from draining. The standing water, coupled with the nutrients from the leaves and branches create the perfect habitat for mosquitoes. In addition, there are no predators to naturally control the mosquitoes. And these mosquitoes can transmit West Nile virus. Cleaning rain gutters is therefore a chore that's certain to contribute to your good health.
 
Now, for folks who want to save rainwater, there is a way to safely collect and store water without creating a mosquito habitat. You'll need:
  • A large container like a garbage can
  • A roll of window screening
  • Bungee cords
First, cover the opening of the garbage can with enough window screening to leave several inches of screen hanging over each side. Next, connect the bungee cords around the garbage can to hold the screen in place. By using a large container like a garbage can, you have one central location to collect rainwater. And by covering the opening with screen that is held in place by bungee cords, you allow water to accumulate while preventing mosquitoes from accessing the water to lay eggs.
 
These are simple tips that will protect not just you, but your neighbors, too. The mosquitoes that lay eggs in rain gutter water or containers that hold water are the species that can transmit West Nile virus and other diseases. These mosquitoes fly up to five miles away.
 
Cleaning rain gutters and collecting rain water safely are two simple ways you can protect yourself against mosquito bites and their associated diseases.
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Each year provides new vector and vector-borne disease challenges.There's a reason we've been called to protect public health for nearly 88 years. 

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Be well.

Enthusiastically,



  Deborah Bass
  Public Affairs Manager
  Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control

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Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control
925-685-9301
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http://www.contracostamosquito.com