The Zika virus has now spread to the U.S. and there is currently no vaccine to prevent it. According to UnitedHealthcare Global’s most recent update on the status of the virus, 75 percent of those affected with the virus will not show symptoms. However, the virus is of particular danger to pregnant women who can pass it on to their unborn child with devastating consequences.
What is the Zika Virus?
The Zika virus is a viral infection carried by the Aedes mosquito. When an infected mosquito bites, it leaves the virus in its victim. It was discovered in 1947 in Uganda in certain rhesus monkeys. It was first reported in humans in 1952 in Tanzania and Uganda. Zika is a Flavivirus, which is the same type of virus that causes Japanese encephalitis, West Nile Virus, Yellow Fever, and Dengue Fever. It has reportedly been transmitted from pregnant women to their unborn children and, more recently, via blood transfusion and sexual contact.
Symptoms of Zika Virus
Symptoms of the virus include headache, rash, lethargy, fever, red eyes, and muscle or joint pain. These symptoms usually appear 2-12 days after being infected; however, most infected people don’t have any symptoms. Although a causal link hasn’t yet been established, there is a confirmed association between the Zika virus and specific problems in pregnant women. Infected pregnant women and women who may become pregnant can experience miscarriage or deliver a child with microcephaly, an abnormality in the brain.
Preventing Zika Virus
In order to prevent the virus from spreading, it is important to take some precautionary measures. The most important thing is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Mosquitoes are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, so it is best to avoid outdoor activities during these times and wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts and pants when you can’t.
- Mosquitoes tend to bite during dawn and dusk, so avoid being outside at these times. You don’t have to live through a Fall full of mosquitoes.
- Cover up: Wear long pants and sleeves, use insect repellents, employ mosquito nets where appropriate, and take precautions during sexual contact.
- Don’t leave doors and windows open. Keep screen doors closed and use air conditioning if available.
- Because mosquitoes breed where water collects, remove containers where water can pool, such as flower pots, tires, decorative vases, buckets, and small swimming pools.
- Consult with a pest control expert for more information on eradicating mosquito breeding sites.
Zika Carrying Mosquitoes
When it comes to the Zika virus, it’s important to know which types of mosquitoes carry it. The Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are the primary culprits, capable of spreading the virus from person to person.
These mosquitoes thrive in warm and humid climates like here in East Texas, making them a concern in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. They are aggressive biters, often active during the day, and can breed in small amounts of standing water.
But removing standing water and wearing long sleeves can only help you so much, especially during the warm rainy season. Did you know EnviroCon Pest Control can help you eradicate mosquitoes safely and effectively in Houston all year round? Contact us for more information today.
EnviroCon Pest Control can help eradicate mosquitoes safely and effectively in Houston. Contact us for more information today.
UnitedHealthcare Global, Inc. (2016). ZIKA VIRUS INFECTION: OVERVIEW AND STATUS UPDATE FEBRUARY 2016.