Daily Brief: 2017.1.25
THREAT ANALYSIS
Zika Case Report
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 34 new cases of the Zika virus were documented in the United States last week. In US territories, 112 cases were documented. The majority of those cases were reported in Puerto Rico, where some experts suggest close to 20% of the population has been exposed to Zika.
(Sources: CIDRAP, CDC)
Zika is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquito. However, the virus can also be transmitted through sexual intercourse. Many people infected with Zika virus won’t have symptoms or will only have mild symptoms. The most common symptoms of Zika include fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis. Other symptoms may include muscle pain and headaches.
(Sources: CDC, WHO)
So far, Zika cases have been documented across 50 countries. In the United States there have been 4,682 travel related cases and 217 locally acquired cases. In Indiana, there have been 51 cases, all of which were travel related. Florida is still the only state to document locally acquired cases. US territories have reported a total of 35,527 cases of Zika.
(Sources: CDC)
ACTION STEPS
- If you are planning on vacationing, please review the CDC’s Zika Travel Notice page.
- If you are planning on traveling to an area that is known for Zika transmission, Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents.
- Even if you do not feel sick, travelers returning to the United States from an area with Zika should take steps to prevent mosquito bites for 3 weeks so they do not spread Zika to mosquitoes that could spread the virus to other people.
(Sources: CDC)