Zika Virus: An Avid Traveler, And Unwelcome Guest

February 1, 2016

The Zika virus is an emerging viral infection first recognized in the Zika forest in Uganda, Africa. The virus has been highly publicized in the news lately because it has spread to the Americas since mid-2015, and is now present in South and Central America, Puerto Rico, and some Caribbean islands. It is spread by the daytime biting mosquito, Aedes aegypti. This mosquito is present in the southern U.S. states that border Mexico. Its cousin, Aedes albopictus, which can also spread the virus, is present as far north as New York State, and in small numbers in southern Connecticut. Further spread of these mosquitos into New England is projected, due to climate change. While Zika virus transmission has not occurred locally within the United States, the potential for spread exists due to the mosquito vectors being present.

zika_middlesex_health


Pregnant women should know about this virus and avoid travel to at-risk areas because of a link with birth defects, including microcephaly (a condition in which a child’s head is abnormally small) that has occurred in Brazil. If travel is unavoidable during pregnancy, travelers should take strict insect precautions to avoid mosquito bites. If you are pregnant and have traveled to areas of risk during your current pregnancy, discuss this with your obstetrician. If you traveled before conceiving, there is no risk to future pregnancies, as far as what is currently known.

There is no vaccine available for the Zika virus. Infection with the virus occurs within 14 days of exposure and is self-resolving. Only one in five persons infected have symptoms. It does not spread from person to person, except for rare instances of sexual transmission, but it can easily can spread indirectly – if a mosquito bites an infected person and then someone else. If you become ill after travel, it is important to seek medical attention, stay indoors during recovery, and still take mosquito precautions if going outdoors to prevent spread to others.

Zika2_middlesex_health


Three out of four travelers take no preventive measures during international travel. You may want to discuss any upcoming travel with your primary care physician. Middlesex Hospital also offers an international Travel Clinic.

Although there is no vaccine available for the Zika virus, there are many other serious infections for which vaccines or preventive medications are available. The best way to prevent serious infections from spreading is to make sure you know when your next routine vaccine is due; and prepare for travel in advance, to prevent getting infected with serious transmissible infections that can be life threatening and spread to others.

 

More Stories

February 20, 2024

The Benefits of Acupuncture

Acupuncture, a form of integrative medicine, can ease pain and help with stress management. Acupuncture can also help if you are dealing with long COVID!

December 27, 2023

Improving Lives By Treating Pain

Dr. Honghui Feng, a pain management specialist with Middlesex Health, is described by his patients as thoughtful and an out-of-the-box thinker — and as someone who changed their lives. 

Explore More News, Events & Media