Unless you live in Alaska, you should be concerned about the Zika Virus according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevent (CDC). 3,358 travel-associated cases1 of Zika virus has been reported in the United States and 43 locally acquired cases as of September 21, 2016. U.S. Territories have reported 19,777 cases of Zika Virus from 2015 to September 21, 2016. Here’s a map showing the distribution of Zika cases.
Zika Cases Reported in the United States
Laboratory-confirmed Zika virus disease cases reported to ArboNET2 by state or territory (as of September 21, 2016)
Black and Hispanic Americans make up a high percentage of the population in the states with the highest Zika Virus rates.
The Zika Virus is spreading fast across the United States!! The CDC on May 4, 2016, reported 472 travel-associated Zika virus disease cases and zero locally acquired vector-borne cases. Jay Harold has written posts about Zika Virus starting on Feb. 2, 2016. Zika Virus: 8 Facts & Prevention gives background information while the May 10 post, “Zika Virus Update: 472 Cases in the United States,” shows that only 472 cases in U.S. and 658 in US Territories from January 1, 2015 – May 4, 2016.
Congress is aware of the looming health crisis that Zika Virus presents but politics always seems to get in the way! For example, somehow the abortion rights fight blocked Zika funding3 . Jay Harold wants you to act proactively to protect you and your loved ones against Zika Virus. The following tips are from the CDC.
Use the tips below to protect yourself & others from Zika
- Following these tips will help to keep you safe, your partner, your family, your friends, and your community from Zika. The more steps you take, the more protected you are.
Prevent mosquito bites
- Zika virus is spread to people mainly through the bite of an infected mosquito.
- Mosquitoes that spread Zika virus bite mostly during the day, but they can also bite at night.
- The best way to prevent Zika is to protect yourself from mosquito bites.
- During the first week of infection, Zika virus can be found in the blood and passed from an infected person to another mosquito through mosquito bites. An infected mosquito can then spread the virus to other people.
What you can do
- Take steps to prevent mosquito bites.
- Take steps to control mosquitoes inside and outside your home.
Plan for travel
- Currently, outbreaks are occurring in many countries and territories.
Most South American countries have active outbreaks of Zika Virus.
- Zika virus will continue to spread, and it will be difficult to determine how and where the virus will spread over time.
What you can do
- Check travel notices.
- Plan for travel (both before AND after your trip)
- Protect yourself during sex.
Protect yourself during sex
- Zika can be passed through sex from a person who has Zika to his or her sex partners.
- Studies are underway to find out how long Zika stays in the semen and vaginal fluids of individuals who have Zika, and how long it can be passed to sex partners. We know that Zika can remain in semen longer than in other body fluids, including vaginal fluids, urine, and blood.
- Zika can be passed through sex from a person who has Zika to his or her partners. Sex includes vaginal, anal and oral sex, and the sharing of sex toys.
What you can do
- Not having sex can eliminate the risk of getting Zika from sex.
- Condoms can reduce the chance of getting Zika from sex.
- Condoms include male and female condoms.
- To be effective, condoms should be used from start to finish, every time during vaginal, anal, and oral sex and the sharing of sex toys.
- Dental dams (latex or polyurethane sheets) may also be used for certain types of oral sex (mouth to vagina or mouth to anus).
- Learn how to protect yourself during sex.
Zika Virus can be passed through sex from a person who has Zika to his or her partners.
Build a Zika Prevention Kit
If you live in a state or area with the mosquito that spreads the Zika virus and is concerned about Zika, create your own Zika Prevention Kit with the items below. Reducing the risk for Zika is particularly important for pregnant women.
Your kit should include:
Bed net
- Keep mosquitoes out of your room, day and night. If your room is not well screened, use a bed net when sleeping or resting.
- Mosquitoes can live indoors and will bite at any time, day or night.
Standing water treatment tabs
- Use water treatment tabs to kill larvae in standing water around your house. Do not put them in water you drink.
- Always follow directions on the package.
- When used as directed, these tabs will not harm you or your pets (dogs and cats).
Insect repellent
- Insect repellent will help keep mosquitoes from biting you.
- Always follow directions on the package.
- Use only an EPA-registered insect repellent.
- Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing.
- If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.
- When used as directed, these insect repellents are proven safe and effective even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
- Learn how to prevent mosquito bites.
Permethrin spray
- Spray your clothing and gear with permethrin to help protect yourself from mosquito bites.
- Always follow the directions on the bottle. Reapply as directed.
- Do not spray permethrin on your skin.
Condom
- During sex, it is possible to get Zika virus from a person who has Zika.
- If you have sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) with a partner who may have been exposed to Zika, you should use condoms the right way every time.
- Follow directions on the box.
- Condoms can also help prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
- Learn how to protect during sex and use condoms correctly. See Condom Dos and Don’ts. English
Click this link to get free Health and Wealth information to improve your life. Enjoyed this post? Share it and read more here. Questions? “Ask the Pharmacist a Question!” Jay Harold is always looking out for your health and wealth.
