The CDC Answers Your Zika Questions

The CDC Answers Your Zika Questions

Zika, which can cause microcephaly in babies, is a concern for all pregnant women. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has partnered with What to Expect to answer questions from the What to Expect community.

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THE CDC SAYS:

You could be bitten by a mosquito and contract Zika virus if the cruise itinerary includes ports of call in an area with Zika even if you do not leave the ship.

If you are traveling to an area with Zika, you should protect yourself from mosquito bites by following these steps:

• Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
• Stay in places with air conditioning and window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.
• Treat your clothing and gear with permethrin or buying pre-treated items.
• Using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picardin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or para-menthane-diol.
  • Always follow the product label instructions.
  • When used as directed, these insect repellents are proven safe and effective even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
• Sleep under a mosquito bed net if air conditioned or screened rooms are not available or if sleeping outdoors.

THE CDC SAYS:

Currently, there are no reports of Zika virus being spread by mosquitoes in Florida. Your husband would need to travel to an area with Zika for him to get bitten by a mosquito with Zika. CDC posts information about areas where Zika is spreading (http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zika-travel-information). To learn more about the sexual transmission of Zika, go tohttp://www.cdc.gov/zika/transmission/sexual-transmission.html

THE CDC SAYS:

Currently, there are no reports of Zika virus being spread by mosquitoes in Florida. Your husband would need to travel to an area with Zika for him to get bitten by a mosquito with Zika. CDC posts information about areas where Zika is spreading. To learn more about the sexual transmission of Zika, go tohttp://www.cdc.gov/zika/transmission/sexual-transmission.html

Stocksy

THE CDC SAYS:

It’s important to remember that Zika has not been reported everywhere in South America. To find out where Zika is actively spreading, visit http://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/active-countries.html

Additionally, not all mosquitoes are infected with Zika, only a few species are known to carry Zika, and you can’t get Zika virus just by being near someone. Zika is primarily spread through the bite of a mosquito infected with Zika. Mosquitoes that bite someone with Zika may get infected and spread the virus to other people through mosquito bites.

At this time, there are no reports of Zika virus being spread by mosquitoes within the continental U.S. The best way to prevent diseases spread by mosquitoes is to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

Stocksy

THE CDC SAYS:

Zika virus cannot spread from person-to-person like a cold or the flu.  Zika is spread to people primarily through the bite of a mosquito infected with Zika.

During the first week of infection, Zika virus can be found in a person’s blood and can pass from an infected person to a mosquito through mosquito bites. An infected mosquito can then spread the virus to other people.

Most people infected with Zika virus won’t even know they have the disease because they won’t have symptoms or they have mild symptoms. For people who get sick, the illness can lasts for several days to a week. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes).

Stocksy

THE CDC SAYS:

No, Zika virus is not spread through food. Zika virus is spread to people primarily through the bite of a mosquito infected with Zika.