ZIKA Virus Infection: Overview Georgia Department of Public Health

What is Zika Virus Infection? • Zika virus infection is a disease spread primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus)

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• Many people infected with Zika virus won’t have symptoms or will only have mild symptoms James Gathany

Where is Zika Found? • Prior to 2015, Zika virus outbreaks occurred in Africa, Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands • May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization issued an alert on the first confirmed Zika virus infections in Brazil • Outbreaks are now in 51 countries and territories including the Americas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, American Samoa

How is Zika Transmitted? Zika virus infection can be transmitted through: • Mosquito bites • From a pregnant woman to her fetus • Sexual contact • Blood transfusion

How Does Zika Affect People? • Anyone who has not been infected with Zika virus can get it • Four out of five people with Zika don’t know they are infected • Zika symptoms are usually mild, lasting several days to a week • Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon

What are the Symptoms of Zika? The most common symptoms of Zika are: • • • • • •

Fever Rash Joint pain Conjunctivitis (red eyes) Muscle pain Headache

Zika and Pregnant Women • Zika can pass from a pregnant woman to her fetus • Zika in pregnancy is a cause of microcephaly o Babies with microcephaly have smaller than normal heads and poor brain development

• Scientists are studying other health problems that Zika may cause during pregnancy • No reports of infants getting Zika through breastfeeding

Zika and Guillian-Barre Syndrome • Guillian-Barre syndrome is very likely triggered by Zika in a small number of infections • Guillian-Barre syndrome causes a person’s immune system to damage nerve cells, leading to muscle weakness, and sometimes, paralysis

How is Zika Diagnosed? • Diagnosis of Zika is based on o Travel history o Symptoms o Blood or urine test results • Symptoms of Zika are similar to other illnesses spread via mosquito bites • Tests may be ordered to look for several types of infections • No specific medicine or vaccine for Zika virus

How is Zika Treated? • Treat the symptoms o Rest o Drink fluids to prevent dehydration o Take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) to reduce fever • Protect yourself from mosquito bites • Zika can be passed from an infected person, to a mosquito, on to another person

Zika and Sexual Transmission • A man or woman with Zika virus can pass it to their sex partner • Zika can be passed o Before symptoms exist o While symptoms are present o After symptoms end • The virus can stay in semen longer than in blood • Research is being done on the virus in vaginal fluids • Use condoms for all sexual activity

Zika and Sexual Transmission • Men who have or are at risk for Zika and have a pregnant partner should: o Use a condom every time they have sex OR

o Don’t have sex during pregnancy

• Couples considering pregnancy should discuss potential risks of Zika virus with their health care provider

Travel and Zika Prevention • Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing 20%-30% DEET • Use while you travel and for three weeks after returning home • Wear long sleeves, long pants and socks • Stay in places with air conditioning or screens • Sleep under mosquito nettingt. • If you are pregnant, do not travel to areas with Zika

Prevent Mosquito Bites • Use EPA-registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients: o DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or para-menthane-diol • Always follow label instructions • Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing. • If you’re using sunscreen, apply it before insect repellent

Prevent Mosquito Bites • Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months old • Do not use oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol on children younger than 3 years old • Dress children in clothing that covers arms and legs • Cover crib, stroller, and baby carrier with mosquito netting • Do not apply insect repellent onto a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, cut or irritated skin

o Adults: Spray insect repellent onto your hands and then apply to a child’s face.

Mosquito Control, Zika Prevention Inside your home • Use air conditioning when possible • Keep screens and doors in good repair, make sure they fit tightly • Use fans on porches and patios to push mosquitoes away from your home • Use an indoor insect fogger or indoor insect spray o When using insecticides, always follow label directions

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Mosquito Control, Zika Prevention Outside your home • Tip ‘n Toss flower pots, buckets, old tires, toys, wading pools o After every rainfall or once a week

• Pack tree holes and hollow stumps with dirt • Repair leaky faucets • Use larvicides in bird baths or ponds • Cover water storage containers

Mosquitoes go from eggs to adults in a week to 10 days

Mosquito Control, Zika Prevention Environmental Health • • •

Vector control Mosquito surveillance Public education and enhanced communication

Surveillance Staff • • •

State entomologist Vector surveillance coordinators Strike teams, 6 teams of 6

Equipment • • • •

Mosquito surveillance trailer Traps, Microscopes Backpack sprayers

Mosquito Control, Zika Prevention Environmental Health Localized Response •

Work with local partners to control Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti

Action triggers: locally-acquired Zika •

CDC Guidelines for Risk Based Zika Action Plans o Focus on area of local transmission o Provide elevated control and education o 300-yard diameter, approximately 5 or more blocks o County-wide in cases of widespread local transmission

Mosquito Control, Zika Prevention Elevated controls: • • • •

Inform local mosquito control Surveillance, testing Public education TIP ‘n TOSS Door-to-door inspections, education

Other Control Measures •

Mosquito Population Suppression o Larviciding (backpack and dunks) o Barrier sprays for adults o Possible ULV spraying if wide spread

Note: Neighborhood fogging is not effective for Aedes albopictus

Zika Information

For more information about Zika virus, contact the Environmental Health section of your local Public Health Department or visit dph.ga.gov/zika.

Prepared 7-20-2016 Photos and Graphics Courtesy