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- Zika Virus Public Information Update
Zika Virus Public Information Update
- What is Zika?
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Zika is a viral infection that is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Outbreaks typically occur in tropical Africa and Southeast Asia. In May 2015, Brazil reported the first outbreak of Zika in the Americas. Zika is now present in tropical areas.
- What are the countries and territories that have reported ongoing transmission in the Americas Region?
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Since this is an evolving situation, the list of affected countries is likely to change. For up‐to-date lists of countries please visit the CDC website or the Pan American Health Organization website. As of February 2, 2016, the countries and territories that have reported ongoing transmission of Zika include American Samoa, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Cape Verde (Africa), Colombia, Costa Rica, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin, Samoa (Oceania/Pacific Islands), Suriname, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Venezuela.
- Are there any people with Zika in the US or New Jersey?
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Locally transmitted cases of Zika by mosquitoes have not been identified in the United States, although the potential for local transmission exists, as Aedes mosquitoes (the mosquitoes that transmit Zika) are present in many states. In late December 2015, the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) identified New Jersey's first laboratory‐confirmed case of Zika in a Bergen county woman exposed in Colombia. While there is no local public health risk associated with this travel‐related case of Zika, the NJDOH informed local health departments (LHDs) and healthcare providers to increase awareness of the risk of Zika in travelers to South and Central America and the Caribbean.
- Can a pregnant woman be tested for Zika weeks or months after being in a country with Zika?
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At this time, we do not recommend routine Zika virus testing in asymptomatic pregnant women who have traveled to a country with the known transmission. Only pregnant women who experienced two or more symptoms during or within two weeks of travel will be tested; even if the symptoms have resolved, we will still test if the criteria is met.
- Who should be tested for Zika virus?
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- Pregnant women, or women who recently delivered, who experienced two ore more of the following symptoms during or within two weeks of travel to a country with Zika transmission:
- Acute onset of fever
- Rash
- Arthralgia
- Conjunctivitis
- Asymptomatic pregnant women with travel to a country with current Zika transmission who have a fetal ultrasound suggestive of microcephaly or intracranial calcifications
- Infants with microcephaly or intracranial calcifications detected prenatally or at birth, and whose mother traveled to or resided in an area with Zika transmission while pregnant
- Infants born to mothers who had a confirmed positive or inconclusive test result for Zika following travel to, or residence in, an area with Zika while pregnant
- Non‐pregnant individuals currently symptomatic with two or more of the following symptoms and travel within the past two weeks to country with Zika transmission, or non-pregnant individuals with Guillain‐Barre Syndrome and travel to a country with Zika transmission.
Pregnant women with travel to a country with current Zika transmission, but who do not present with symptoms, are not currently being recommended for testing. It is advised that healthcare providers and others monitor the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) website for updates in this guidance, as testing restrictions may change.
Considerations for follow-up: Asymptomatic pregnant women with a history of travel to an area of Zika transmission while pregnant, regardless of past symptoms, should consult with their healthcare providers. Providers may refer to the MMWR Interim Guidelines for Pregnant Women During a Zika Virus Outbreak on the CDC website.
Testing is not indicated for women without a recent travel history to an area with Zika transmission, or for pregnant women who traveled before becoming pregnant.
- Pregnant women, or women who recently delivered, who experienced two ore more of the following symptoms during or within two weeks of travel to a country with Zika transmission:
- What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people?
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The most common symptoms of Zika include:
- Fever
- Rash
- Joint pain
- Conjunctivitis (red eyes)
Other common symptoms include:
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- How severe is illness associated with Zika?
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Most people do not develop symptoms. In the 20% of people who do get symptoms, the illness is usually mild. The biggest concern is the chance of a serious birth defect if a pregnant woman becomes infected.
- Rash Type and Distribution
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At this point in time, the type of rash commonly seen with Zika is still being defined. While the maculopapular rash is reported most often, pruritic rashes have been described as well. Additionally, rash on the trunk and face have been described, but we cannot rule out the possibility rash will distribute differently. CDC would like providers to document all rash information so we can learn more about this symptom.
- Is Zika contagious? How does it spread?
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Most people who are infected were bitten by an infected mosquito. There has been one report of the possible spread of the virus through blood transfusion and a few reports of sexual transmission.
- What is the incubation period for Zika?
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Symptoms usually begin 2 to 7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito and last several days to a week.
- Who is at highest risk for getting infected with Zika?
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Anyone who is living in or traveling to an area where the Zika virus is found, who has not already been infected with the Zika virus, is at risk for infection.
- What is the treatment for people with Zika?
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There is no specific treatment for Zika. Symptoms are treated by getting rest, drinking fluids to prevent dehydration, and taking medicines such as acetaminophen or paracetamol to relieve fever and pain. Aspirin and other non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen and naproxen, should be avoided until dengue can be ruled out to reduce the risk of increased bleeding.
- Is there a vaccine for Zika?
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No, there is currently no vaccine to prevent Zika.
- What is New Jersey doing in response to this situation?
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The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is communicating with local health departments and healthcare providers through health alert messages and conference calls to increase their awareness. Updated information will be posted to the NJDOH website as updates become available.
- Can I travel to countries affected by the outbreak?
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Since Zika is spread by mosquitoes, CDC recommends that travelers to areas with ongoing transmission protect themselves from mosquito bites:
- Cover exposed skin by wearing long‐sleeved shirts and long pants.
- Use EPA‐registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535. Always use as directed. The oil of lemon eucalyptus was removed‐safety in pregnant women is unknown.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women can use all EPA‐registered insect repellents, including DEET, according to the product label.
- Most repellents, including DEET, can be used on children aged >2 months.
- Use permethrin‐treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). You can buy pre‐treated clothing and gear or treat them yourself.
- Stay and sleep in screened‐in or air‐conditioned rooms.
Women who are pregnant (in any trimester) should consider postponing travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. If you are pregnant and must travel to one of these areas, talk to your doctor first and strictly follow the steps to prevent mosquito bites during your trip. Women who are trying to become pregnant should talk to their doctor about plans to become pregnant and the risk of Zika virus infection before travel and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during travel. All women of childbearing age who choose to travel should follow steps to prevent mosquito bites in the event of an unplanned pregnancy.
- Is it safe to get pregnant after traveling to a country with Zika virus?
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If infected, the Zika virus usually remains in the blood of an infected person for about a week. The virus will not cause infections in a baby that is conceived after the virus is cleared from the blood.
- Should I avoid contact with people that have recently traveled to affected countries?
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Zika is not an airborne disease and cannot be spread by coughing, sneezing, or talking. However, the Zika virus has been found in semen and person‐to‐person sexual transmission has been documented.
- Where can I learn more?
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The CDC website has additional information about Zika and the current outbreak. Please review the CDC Zika Virus page to learn more.