Officials urge travelers to take preccautions in wake of Zika virus
Tulare County Health Officer Dr. Karen Haught urges community members who are traveling to Mexico, Central America, and South America to take precautions against mosquito bites to prevent contracting the Zika virus.
Pregnant women and women considering becoming pregnant are encouraged not to travel to countries where Zika is widespread.
“All community members, especially pregnant women if they have to travel, should take precautions against mosquito bites by using insect repellent and removing standing water where mosquitoes typically breed,” Haught said.
Zika virus is an emerging mosquito-borne virus that produces symptoms such as fever, joint and muscle pain, skin rash, and redness of the eyes. Symptoms may last two to seven days after a bite and the virus stays in the blood system for about a week.
Because the Zika virus in pregnant women can cause microcephaly in the infant, pregnant women should take extra precautions. Additionally, the virus has been associated with miscarriages and fetal loss.
Although there is no evidence that mosquitoes in Tulare County carry the virus, travelers may become infected and inadvertently spread the virus, which can be passed through blood transfusions and sexual contact. There are no vaccines and no medications to speed up recovery.
If community members travel, they should protect themselves by using mosquito repellent; wearing hats, long-sleeved shirts and pants; using insecticidetreated mosquito nets for sleeping; and staying in screened-in or airconditioned areas.
Pregnant women and women who may become pregnant, before traveling to other countries, should check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website (http://www.cdc. gov/) for areas included in the travel advisory, and postpone travel to risky areas. Some airlines are allowing women to cancel or postpone flights to Zika-affected areas. Contact your travel provider directly for more information.
At this time there is no evidence that the Zika virus infection poses a risk of birth defects in future pregnancies; babies conceived after the virus is cleared from the blood should not have an infection. Pregnant women should consult with a doctor before traveling.
The Aedes aegypti mosquito that carries the virus can breed in areas with small amounts of water, so residents should also be aware of any standing water such as in backyard pools, water features and discarded tires.