The Health Counsellor

Zika virus

Health alerts: 

Zika virus is causing concern because it is relatively new, it is spreading quickly, and it may result in significant health effects.

Symptoms and risks:

The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika. For this reason, many people might not realize they have been infected. Once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections.

There are two significant risks if someone becomes infected with Zika

If a pregnant woman becomes infected, it may infect her baby and cause microcephaly and brain injury.
Rarely (affecting 2.6/10,000 infected individuals), there may be a temporary paralysis

Zika virus can be transmitted by:

• By mosquito, primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species

• From mother to child, possibly during pregnancy and around the time of delivery.

• Through blood transfusion.

• Through sexual contact

Precautions against Zika virus:

     Women who are pregnant (in any trimester):

• Consider postponing travel to any areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission
• If you must travel to one of these areas, talk to your doctor first and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during your trip (described below).
• If you have recently been in any areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission, please discuss this with your obstetrician.

 

  Women who are trying to become pregnant:

• Talk to your doctor about your plans to become pregnant and the risk of Zika virus infection:

• Before you travel to any areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission,strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during travels.

• If you have a male sexual partner who travels to any areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission

 
     Women who are at risk of pregnancy:

Use reliable contraception during travel to any areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission, and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during travels.

Mosquito precautions:

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants.

• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). You can buy pre-treated clothing and gear or treat them yourself.

• Stay and sleep in screened-in or air conditioned rooms.