Lately, there has been a lot of international discussion about the Zika Virus and its risks. While education and information-sharing is vital to public health, the scope and reality of one’s personal exposure to or risk of a specific threat is oftentimes “lost” through the lens by which the media covers related news stories and reports. So, the UCI Emergency Management Division wanted to share some facts with the campus community about the Zika Virus which comes directly from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). This information is particular important to those within the community that travel internationally and are, inherently, at greater risk of exposure to the critters carrying this Virus. So, please take a moment and read though the information below to get educated on the facts and visit the Orange County Health Care Agency for more information @ http://ochealthinfo.com/phs/about/dcepi/epi/disease/zika For an additional questions or concerns you may have about the Zika Virus please contact the UCI Student Health Center @ http://www.shs.uci.edu/
What is Zika virus?
Zika is an infectious disease caused by the Zika virus, which is transmitted to people by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitos. Most infected people have no symptoms. The illness is usually mild, and severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon. If symptoms develop, the most common are fever, rash, joint pain, and/or red eyes. Symptoms usually begin 3-7 days after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito and last several days to a week. There is no specific treatment for Zika virus disease. The only treatment option available is the provision of supportive care including rest, fluids, and use of analgesics and antipyretics.
What should Californians know about Zika?
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is monitoring the Zika virus outbreak in Latin America closely. As of February 5, 2016, there have been six confirmed cases of Zika virus disease reported in California residents, all in travelers returning from other countries with Zika virus outbreaks. These cases occurred in 2013 (1), 2014 (3), and 2015 (2). CDPH has also been notified of one preliminary positive case of Zika for 2016. CDPH requested that health care providers voluntarily report Zika virus infections. The CDPH laboratory can provide preliminary laboratory testing and coordinate confirmatory testing, which is currently provided by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
What’s the relationship between Zika virus and microcephaly in newborns?
There is a possible association between Zika and microcephaly (abnormally small head and brain) in newborns. It is suspected that women who get infected with Zika virus may pass the virus to the developing fetus if they are pregnant. However, there are many causes of microcephaly in babies, and whether Zika virus infection causes microcephaly has not been confirmed. Studies are needed to understand this possible relationship.
What is the likelihood of Zika virus circulating in California?
There has been no known transmission of Zika virus in California and it is unlikely that Zika virus would spread significantly in the state. It is possible that a returning traveler infected with Zika virus could be bitten by an Aedes mosquito carrying the virus and that mosquito could bite someone else, transmitting the virus. However, because of housing conditions, water management, and mosquito control practices in California, there is generally less contact between humans and Aedes mosquitoes than in other countries. It is important that Californians avoid mosquito bites while traveling to affected areas to prevent these illnesses and their importation to California. It is also important that California residents, particularly those living in counties where the Aedes mosquito has been found, avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. These mosquitoes have been found in 12 California counties in the last few years (see map at http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Documents/AedesDistributionMap.pdf). CDPH and local vector control districts will continue to collaborate to control and limit further spread of Aedes mosquitoes in the state.
What happens if you’re infected? Is there a cure?
There is no specific treatment for Zika. Talk with your health care provider about medications to help reduce fever and pain; rest and fluids are also helpful. Those who do show symptoms usually feel better in about a week.
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