Zika Virus
What is Zika Virus?
Prior to 2015, Zika virus outbreaks occurred in areas of Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infections in Brazil. Currently, outbreaks are occurring in many countries. Zika virus will continue to spread and it will be difficult to determine how and where the virus will spread over time. Currently, there are travel-associated cases throughout the United States including Pennsylvania. Montgomery County Health Department continues to closely monitor the situation.
Zika virus is primarily spread through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito; it can also be transmitted sexually, or through a blood transfusion, or from a mother to her baby during pregnancy. Common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week and only about one in five people infected with Zika will get sick. Cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome as well adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes have been linked to Zika.There is no vaccine to prevent Zika and symptoms can be treated by getting plenty of rest and drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
Out of an abundance of caution, CDC recommends that women who are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant should postpone travel to countries where the Zika virus is ongoing. Anyone traveling to these locations should be sure to wear long sleeved shirts and long pants, stay in places that use window and door screens, use EPA registered insect repellents, treat clothing and gear with permethrin or purchase permethrin-treated items, and sleep under a mosquito bed net if you are overseas or outside and are not able to protect yourself from mosquito bites.
More information on Zika Virus and the ongoing outbreak can be found at the CDC Zika Virus Page.
3/8/2016 - Montco Reports First Zika Virus Case
4/7/2016 - Advice from MCHD at the Start of the 2016 West Nile Virus Season
More information on Zika Virus and the ongoing outbreak can be found at the CDC Zika Virus Page.
PRESS RELEASES
3/8/2016 - Montco Reports First Zika Virus Case
4/7/2016 - Advice from MCHD at the Start of the 2016 West Nile Virus Season
- Mosquito Bite Prevention (En Espanol)
- Zika Prevention Kit (En Espanol)
- Zika and Pregnancy – Take Precautions (En Espanol)
- Protect Your Pregnancy (En Espanol)
- What is Local Transmission? (En Espanol)
- Keep Mosquitoes Away from Septic Tank (En Espanol)
- Don’t Let Mosquitoes Ruin Your Trip (En Espanol)
- Reduce Your Risk (En Espanol)
- LGBT Community: How to Protect Yourself Against Zika
- CDC Key Messages -September 7, 2016
- CDC Emergency Partners Newsletter - Special Zika Virus Edition -September 9, 2016.pdf
- Avoid Mosquito Bites
- Montgomery County Mosquito Control
- Montgomery County Mosquito Surveillance
- Doctor’s Visit Checklist for Pregnant Women (En Espanol)
- US Zika Pregnancy Registry
- Occupational Exposure - Recommendations for Outdoor Workers
- Controlling Mosquitoes at Home
- Interim Guidelines for Prevention of Sexual Transmission of Zika Virus
- Interim Guidelines for Health Care Providers Caring for Pregnant Women and Women of Reproductive Age with Possible Zika Virus Exposure
- Interim Guidelines for Caring for Infants and Children with Possible Zika
- Evidence of Zika Virus Infection in Brain and Placental Tissues from Two Congenitally Infected Newborns and Two Fetal Losses - Brazil, 2015
- Zika Virus Infection Among U.S. Pregnant Travelers (August 2015–February 2016)
- Transmission of Zika Virus Through Sexual Contact with Travelers to Areas of Transmission — U.S, 2016
- Increase in Reported Prevalence of Microcephaly in Infants Born to Women Living in Areas with Confirmed Zika Virus
- Minimal Likelihood for Mosquito-Borne Zika Virus Transmission at Elevations Above 2,000 Meters
- Travel Associated Zika Virus Disease Cases Among US Residents January 2015 February 2016
- Preventing Transmission of Zika Virus in Labor and Delivery Settings Through Implementation of Standard Precautions
- Estimating Contraceptive Needs and Increasing Access to Contraception in Response to the Zika Virus Disease Outbreak — Puerto Rico, 2016
- Early Release Vital Signs Preparing for Local Mosquito-Borne Transmission of Zika Virus.pdf
- Survey of Blood Collection Centers and Implementation of Guidance for Prevention of Transfusion-Transmitted Zika Virus Infection — Puerto Rico, 2016
- Patterns in Zika Virus Testing and Infection, by Report of Symptoms and Pregnancy Status -- U.S., January 3–March 5, 2016.pdf
- Questions and Answers for Obstetrical Healthcare Providers
- Ongoing Zika Virus Transmission — Puerto Rico, November 1, 2015–April 14, 2016
- Comparison of Test Results for Zika Virus RNA in Urine, Serum, and Saliva Specimens from Persons with Travel-Associated Zika Virus Disease — Florida, 2016
- Early Release Possible Zika Virus Infection Among Pregnant Women — United States and Territories, May 2016.pdf
- Interim Guidance for Interpretation of Zika Virus Antibody Test Result
- Screening of Blood Donations for Zika Virus Infection — Puerto Rico
- Zika Virus Surveillance and Preparedness — New York City, 2015–2016
- Projected Zika Virus Importation and Subsequent Ongoing Transmission after Travel to the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games — Country-Specific Assessment, July 2016
- Suspected Female-to-Male Sexual Transmission of Zika Virus — New York City, 2016
- Update: Interim Guidance for Health Care Providers Caring for Pregnant Women with Possible Zika Virus Exposure — United States, July 2016
- Update: Interim Guidance for Prevention of Sexual Transmission of Zika Virus — United States, July 2016
- Update: Ongoing Zika Virus Transmission — Puerto Rico,November 1, 2015–July 7, 2016
- Contraceptive Use Among Nonpregnant and Postpartum Women at Risk for Unintended Pregnancy, and Female High School Students, in the Context of Zika Preparedness
- Update: Interim Guidance for the Evaluation and Management of Infants with Possible Congenital Zika Virus Infection — United States, August 2016
- Guillain-Barré Syndrome During Ongoing Zika Virus Transmission — Puerto Rico, January 1–July 31, 2016
- Likely Sexual Transmission of Zika Virus from a Man with No Symptoms of Infection — Maryland, 2016
- Hearing Loss in Infants with Microcephaly and Evidence of Congenital Zika Virus Infection — Brazil, November 2015–May 2016
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC HAN 385 - Recognizing, Managing, and Reporting Zika Virus
CDC HAN 388 - Update: Interim Guidelines for Prevention of Sexual Transmission of Zika Virus — United States, 2016
CDC HAN 389 - Diagnostic Testing of Urine Specimens for Suspected Zika Virus Infection
CDC HAN 392 - Recommendations for Subsequent Zika IgM Antibody Testing
CDC HAN 393- CDC Guidance for Travel and Testing of Pregnant Women and Women of Reproductive Age for Zika Virus Infection Related to the Investigation for Local Mosquito-borne Zika Virus Transmission in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, Florida
CDC HAN 394-CDC Expands Guidance for Travel and Testing of Pregnant Women, Women of Reproductive Age, and Their Partners for Zika Virus Infection Related to Mosquito-borne Zika Virus Transmission in Miami-Dade, Florida
Pennsylvania Department of Health
PA Health Alert 324 - Recognizing, Managing and Reporting Zika Virus Infections
PA Health Alert 326 - Zika Virus Update
PA Health Alert 329 - Zika Virus Update #2
PA Health Alert 330 - Update Interim Guidelines for Prevention of Sexual Transmission of Zika Virus
PA Health Alert 334 - Zika Virus: Risk Reduction Guidance
PA Health Alert 336 - Interim Guidance for Zika Virus Testing of Urine
PA Health Alert 339 - Zika Virus Risk Reduction Guidance
PA Health Alert 341- Zika Virus: Reporting Pregnancy Related Outcomes
PA Health Alert 342 - Update: CDC Recommends Clinicians Immediately Stop Using Liquid Docusate for Certain Patients
PA Health Alert 344- Zika Provider Guidance
PA Health Alert 344A-7-20 - Zika Testing
PA Health Alert 346 — Local Mosquito-transmitted Zika Virus Infections Identified in Miami, Florida – Dated August 4, 2016
PA Health Alert 350 - Expanded Area of Local Mosquito-Transmitted Zika Virus Infections Identified in Miami-Dade, Florida
PA Health Alert 352- Interim Guidance for the Evaluation of Management of Infants with Possible Congenital Zika Virus Infection
PA Health Alert 353 - Zika Virus Testing Guidance-Updated 9/7/2016
PA Health Alert 365 - CDC Guidance for Travel and Testing of Pregnant Women and Women of Reproductive Age for Zika Virus
Montgomery County Health Department
4/27/2016 - Zika Virus Disease – Reducing Risk of Potential Local Transmission
CDC HAN 385 - Recognizing, Managing, and Reporting Zika Virus
CDC HAN 388 - Update: Interim Guidelines for Prevention of Sexual Transmission of Zika Virus — United States, 2016
CDC HAN 389 - Diagnostic Testing of Urine Specimens for Suspected Zika Virus Infection
CDC HAN 392 - Recommendations for Subsequent Zika IgM Antibody Testing
CDC HAN 393- CDC Guidance for Travel and Testing of Pregnant Women and Women of Reproductive Age for Zika Virus Infection Related to the Investigation for Local Mosquito-borne Zika Virus Transmission in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, Florida
CDC HAN 394-CDC Expands Guidance for Travel and Testing of Pregnant Women, Women of Reproductive Age, and Their Partners for Zika Virus Infection Related to Mosquito-borne Zika Virus Transmission in Miami-Dade, Florida
Pennsylvania Department of Health
PA Health Alert 324 - Recognizing, Managing and Reporting Zika Virus Infections
PA Health Alert 326 - Zika Virus Update
PA Health Alert 329 - Zika Virus Update #2
PA Health Alert 330 - Update Interim Guidelines for Prevention of Sexual Transmission of Zika Virus
PA Health Alert 334 - Zika Virus: Risk Reduction Guidance
PA Health Alert 336 - Interim Guidance for Zika Virus Testing of Urine
PA Health Alert 339 - Zika Virus Risk Reduction Guidance
PA Health Alert 341- Zika Virus: Reporting Pregnancy Related Outcomes
PA Health Alert 342 - Update: CDC Recommends Clinicians Immediately Stop Using Liquid Docusate for Certain Patients
PA Health Alert 344- Zika Provider Guidance
PA Health Alert 344A-7-20 - Zika Testing
PA Health Alert 346 — Local Mosquito-transmitted Zika Virus Infections Identified in Miami, Florida – Dated August 4, 2016
PA Health Alert 350 - Expanded Area of Local Mosquito-Transmitted Zika Virus Infections Identified in Miami-Dade, Florida
PA Health Alert 352- Interim Guidance for the Evaluation of Management of Infants with Possible Congenital Zika Virus Infection
PA Health Alert 353 - Zika Virus Testing Guidance-Updated 9/7/2016
PA Health Alert 365 - CDC Guidance for Travel and Testing of Pregnant Women and Women of Reproductive Age for Zika Virus
Montgomery County Health Department
4/27/2016 - Zika Virus Disease – Reducing Risk of Potential Local Transmission
Resources:
Zika Activity Book for Kids
Positive Zika Test - What does it mean for my child?
Protecting Camp Staff and Campers
Protecting Children from Mosquito Bites at Camp
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT 1
Sesame Street: if the mosquito can't bite you, bye-bye Zika!
Plaza Sésamo: Si el Mosquito no te Pica, Adiós Zika!
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT 2
Sesame Street: if the mosquito can't bite you, bye-bye Zika!
Plaza Sésamo: Si el Mosquito no te Pica, Adiós Zika!