Spring break travelers should be on guard against Zika virus

Students who will be traveling abroad during spring break and faculty and staff who are planning international travel should be aware of the Zika virus and take precautions to minimize their risk of infection.

Zika is a disease that can cause fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis, aka “pink eye.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the illness is usually mild and symptoms last only for several days to a week. People with Zika don’t usually need hospitalization and they rarely die of the disease. Only about one in five people with Zika virus become ill.

The Zika virus is transmitted to people primarily through infected mosquitoes that bite during the daytime as well as at night. The CDC reported that the virus has also been spread through blood transfusion and sexual contact.

It is possible the Zika virus could be passed from a mother to her fetus during pregnancy, and scientists are investigating whether microcephaly birth defects in babies are linked to mothers who had Zika-like symptoms when they were pregnant.

Currently there is no vaccine to prevent the disease or medication to treat the infection. The CDC recommends treating the symptoms by getting plenty of rest, drinking fluids to prevent dehydration and taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) to relieve fever and pain.

Outbreaks of the Zika virus have occurred in many areas of Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. More recently, Zika virus infections have been reported in South America, Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean. Local mosquito-borne transmission of the virus has been reported in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and America Samoa. Cases of Zika that have been reported in the U.S. have been attributed to infections during travel abroad.

If you will be traveling to an area where Zika outbreaks have been reported, the CDC recommends the following preventive measures:

* Avoid mosquito bites by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants.

* Stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.

* Use insect repellent and reapply as needed.

* Treat clothing and gear with permethrin, a chemical used as an insecticide.

People who have Zika should continue to take these precautions because mosquitoes that bite them can become infected and spread the virus to others.

Because of the possible transmission of the virus through sexual contact, some health officials recommend wearing condoms during sex if you’re in an area where outbreaks of the virus have been reported.

Pregnant women should consider postponing travel to areas where outbreaks of the Zika virus have been reported.

For more info on where outbreaks have been reported, visit http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zika-information and www.internationalsos.com/topics/zika-virus.