According to the World Health Organization the dangerous Zika Virus is heading to all countries in the Americas except for some cold regions like Canada. The virus is carried by the Aedes mosquito and is responsible for birth defects in newborn children. The virus could spread fast in the warm areas of the United States.
1. What is Zika?
Zika is a virus similar to West Nile or Yellow Fever and there currently is no vaccine available for treatment. The virus is being connected to a condition in babies called Microcephaly, a condition where infants are born with smaller heads. Pregnant women should be aware of the symptoms since it can be passed on to their babies. The virus can also be spread by sexual transmission and blood transfusion.
2. What are the symptoms?
The symptoms are usually mild and deaths are rare from this condition. Only 1 in 5 get the symptoms, which include:
- Fever
- red sore eyes
- headache
- pain in joints
- rash
- In some people a nervous condition
3. How do you protect yourself from the virus
- Avoid traveling to warm countries where there are a number of reported cases like Brazil.
- Wear long pants and long-sleeve shirts so the mosquitoes can’t bite through them.
- Make sure to wear an EPA approved bug repellant over your sunscreen.
- The female Aedes mosquito is actually more active in the daytime and prefers indoors.
- Make sure all window screens are in place and air conditioning is used to keep them away.
To make sure you control these pesky bugs, use a mosquito control treatment for your home. Don’t take any chances with the Zika Virus, contact us at Consolidated Pest Control, we can make sure these mosquitoes stay away from you.
