Zika Virus In The United States: What You Need To Know

A case of Zika virus was confirmed in Minnesota by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Center’s list of countries with a travel ban related to the disease has extended to 24.

The Zika virus doesn’t yet have a cure, and officials are trying to stop its spread into the United States after a handful of American cases have been reported.

Here’s what you need to know.

What is Zika virus?

The biggest risk is to pregnant women and their unborn children.

Several reports have linked Zika in mothers with Microcephaly in infants, the CDC says, a potentially life-threatening birth defect where a baby’s head is smaller than expected.

It is unclear if the two are directly correlated, the CDC says, but since little is known about Zika, the Center is taking preventative measures.

The virus in and of itself isn’t particularly serious, according to the CDC. Infected people can expect fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes for a couple of days or up to a week, and hospitalization is rare, the CDC says.

How does Zika virus spread?

Mosquito bites from the Aedes species are the primary form of transmission, the CDC says, but in rare cases a mother can transmit the disease to her child.

The disease may also spread through sexual contact with an infected person, the CDC says.

What countries are under travel alerts for Zika?

Mexico, Brazil and Puerto Rico are among the 24 countries for which the CDC has Zika travel alerts issued.

The travel notices are still just level 2 — meaning a full ban isn’t in effect, but potential travelers should take full precaution against mosquito bites while abroad, especially pregnant women or women who may become pregnant.

The Virgin Islands and Dominican Republic were added to the list Tuesday. See the full list of Zika travel alerts here.

How does Zika virus affect the United States?

No locally transmitted cases of Zika have been reported in America, but travelers to other countries have come back infected.

Officials in Minnesota confirmed a case of Zika virus Wednesday, and last week, two pregnant women in Illinois came back infected.

The travel bans could throw a wrench in some vacation plans, especially for pregnant women. Many airlines are refunding tickets to affected countries or offering flight changes at no cost.

What should I do if I’m pregnant?

First, pregnant women should not travel to the list of countries under a travel alert, the CDC says.

Second, since the virus spreads through mosquito bites, the CDC says to take appropriate steps to prevent getting bitten. These include:

• Wearing long-sleeve clothing
• Applying insect repellant every few hours
• Treating clothing and gear with permethrin

Mothers should not, though, use insect repellant on babies younger than two months, the CDC says. Instead, the center says you should dress your child in long-sleeve clothing and use a mosquito net or protector over their crib and stroller.