In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infection in Brazil and on Feb 1, 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Zika virus a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). Local transmission has been reported in many other countries and territories. Zika virus is currently predicted to spread and infect new areas.

According to the CDC, the Zika virus is a disease that is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis. 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. No vaccine currently exists to prevent Zika Virus disease.

How Zika Virus is Spread

As of now, the Zika virus has been found in Angola, Brazil, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kenya, and our close neighbor, Mexico. While we have yet to discover these mosquitoes in the U.S., we have already had multiple individuals that have been traveling from these infected areas, get bit.

Tips to Help Prevent Contracting Zika Virus

With warm weather quickly approaching, and an influx of mosquitoes showing up between spring and fall, it’s important to not only recognize the danger of mosquitoes as we enter this season, but also to understand just how beneficial a mosquito treatment plan can be. Since there is currently no cure for Zika Virus, it’s important to take all of the possible precautions to keep you and your family safe this season. Contact Local Exterminator Inc. to sign up for a Mosquito Treatment Plan today.