Zika Virus Information

Zika Virus Information

Zika is a disease caused by the Zika virus that is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito, though rare cases of sexual transmission have been reported.  Only one out of every five people who catch the Zika virus will have any symptoms.  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. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika. 

This virus is spreading very quickly in South and Central America (map of active Zika transmission), and has been linked to serious birth defect called microcephaly in babies whose mothers were infected with Zika while pregnant. 

Highland County Impact

For Highland County, we are concerned about people traveling to and returning from areas with Zika activity.  Many people in our community have recently returned mission trips in Haiti and other areas in Central and South America.  There are many of our residents who are planning or returning from vacation in the Caribbean and other tropical locations.  There are many things that people can do to prevent contracting Zika while traveling.  

Ohio has 4 identified Zika cases, all of which are linked to recent travel to affected areas.  Highland County has no identified cases of Zika.  https://www.odh.ohio.gov/odhprograms/bid/zdp/diseases/zika.aspx

Prevention

The best way to prevent Zika is to prevent mosquito bites.  The CDC provides some excellent tips on their website.  http://www.cdc.gov/zika/prevention/index.html

For more information on Zika Virus, visit http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html