Zika Virus
Zika is a reportable disease in Oklahoma as an “unusual disease or syndrome.” Zika is a mosquito borne viral disease. Outbreaks of Zika virus have been reported in multiple countries including tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands, and Brazil. Specific areas where Zika virus is spreading are often difficult to determine and are likely to change over time. Visit the CDC Zika Travel Information to find where Zika is occurring.
Zika virus is primarily transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on a person already infected with the virus. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to other people through bites. Zika virus is most often spread to people by Aedes aegypti and might be spread by Aedes albopictus mosquitoes as well. These are the same mosquitoes that transmit dengue and chikungunya. They most frequently bite during the daytime, both indoors and outdoors. They are most active during the early morning and late afternoon. Transmission has also been found through blood transfusion, sexual transmission, and perinatal (mother-to-fetus) transmission.
Most people infected with Zika virus won’t even know they have the disease because they won’t have symptoms. Symptoms occur only in 20 to 25 percent of individuals that are infected. If symptoms develop, the most common are fever, rash, conjunctivitis (red eyes) or joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache and muscle pain. Symptoms usually begin 2 - 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito and last several days to a week. The Brazil Ministry of Health has reported an increased number of people who have been infected with Zika virus that also have Guillian-Barre syndrome (GBS), an uncommon sickness of the nervous system causing muscle weakness, and sometime paralysis. GBS is very likely triggered by Zika in a small proportion of infections; however, scientists are still investigating the link between Zika and GBS. Because of the similar geographic distribution and symptoms, a healthcare provider may consider dengue fever and chikungunya virus as the cause of a person’s illness.
Recently, scientists announced that Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects in infants. Microcephaly means an abnormally small head, which is usually associated with developmental delays and intellectual disabilities. Zika virus during pregnancy has been linked to other serious problems in infants such as eye defects, hearing loss, and impaired growth. Scientists are still studying the full range or other potential health problems that Zika virus infection during pregnancy may cause. If you are pregnant or are planning on becoming pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider prior to traveling to a Zika affected country.
There is no current local transmission of Zika virus in the continental United States. Primary risk for illness from zika virus comes from traveling to areas around the world where transmission is more common.
Zika is a reportable disease in Oklahoma.
There is no vaccine, preventative drug, or specific treatment drug available for Zika. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid mosquito bites while traveling to areas with Zika virus. Mosquito exposure prevention tips while traveling to affected areas include:
- Use air conditioning or window/door screens to keep mosquitoes outside. If you are not able to protect yourself from mosquitoes inside your home or hotel, sleep under a mosquito bed net.
- Use mosquito repellents according to instructions.
- If weather permits, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
- Help reduce the number of mosquitoes outside your home or hotel room by emptying standing water from containers such as flowerpots or buckets.
If you have recently traveled to an area where zika virus transmission is common and develop symptoms, contact your healthcare provider. Most people infected with Zika virus won’t even know they have the disease because they won’t have symptoms. Symptoms occur only in 20 to 25 percent of individuals that are infected. If symptoms develop, the most common are fever, rash, conjunctivitis (red eyes) or joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache and muscle pain. Symptoms usually begin 2 - 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito and last several days to a week. Because of the similar geographic distribution and symptoms, a healthcare provider may consider dengue fever and chikungunya virus as the cause of a person’s illness.
