Falls Church Plans Zika Virus Town Hall

From the City of Falls Church:

The Fairfax County Health Department -- the City's health department via contract -- will host a town hall meeting about the Zika virus on September 8 at 7 p.m. in the City of Falls Church Community Center (223 Little Falls St.).

Health Department staff will discuss Zika, what is known about the virus, and what residents can do to prevent it and other mosquito-borne diseases. Representatives will also discuss the agency’s mosquito and human surveillance efforts and possible interventions should a locally acquired case of Zika be identified.

Can't attend the Town Hall? Representatives from the Health Department are available to give brief presentations at home owners association meetings. To schedule a presentation, please call 703-246-8931 or email HDLiaison@fairfaxcounty.gov.

The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), a possible vector for this disease, is common in northern Virginia. Because mosquito season will not end until the first hard frost of the year, it is important that residents remain vigilant about preventing mosquitoes around their homes and protecting themselves from bites for the remainder of the summer and fall. Zika virus is primarily spread to people by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, and can also be spread through sexual contact, from a pregnant woman to her fetus, and possibly through blood.

For more information, contact the City's Housing and Human Services at hhsinfo@fallschurchva.gov or703‐248‐5005 (TTY 711).

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