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Be aware of Zika virus when traveling

In winter, it’s not surprising Upper Peninsula residents might have visions of escaping to warmer climates, if not already gone.

Recognizing this, the Michigan Department of Health has issued an advisory on traveling to areas known to have the Zika virus.

Yes, while out of the news in recent months, Zika remains a threat in the United States.

Zika virus primarily is spread through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which have not been found in Michigan but are common in tropical areas and some parts of the United States, such as Florida.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed 69 cases of Zika among Michigan travelers so far, including three pregnant women.

Nationwide, more than 1,200 pregnant women have been identified with possible Zika infection, resulting in 41 Zika-affected infants to date. MDHHS is participating in the U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry, an effort to learn more about the effects of Zika virus infection during pregnancy.

Because of this, the CDC has made available travel updates about the Zika virus by texting PLAN to 855-255-5606.

Those who travel to an area with Zika should:

— Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.

— Stay and sleep in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens.

— If travel plans include more remote areas, take along a permethrin-treated bed net to use while sleeping.

— Use EPA-registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or paramenthane-diol, or 2-undecanone.

All of Michigan’s Zika cases have been travel-related. While the virus primarily is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, it’s important that residents of reproductive age are aware of the risks associated with sexual transmission of Zika virus.

Zika can be spread through sex without a condom. Most cases of sexual transmission have involved people who had symptoms of Zika virus infection. However, recent evidence suggests that asymptomatic males may be capable of transmitting Zika virus to their sex partners. There is currently no vaccine or treatment for Zika.

Zika virus illness typically is mild. The most common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis lasting for several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Zika has also been linked to Guillain-Barre syndrome, an uncommon condition of the nervous system after infections.

The CDC’s recommendations for travelers:

— Pregnant women should not travel to areas with active Zika transmission. If they must travel, they should take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.

— Non-pregnant women who travel to areas with active Zika transmission should avoid pregnancy for at least eight weeks from symptom onset if ill or from the last possible exposure if illness does not develop.

— Men who travel to risk areas should use condoms and avoid conception for at least six months — regardless of whether they develop an illness consistent with Zika virus disease.

MDHHS is working closely with the CDC to find additional Zika cases in returning travelers or their partners, and is coordinating with local health departments to enhance mosquito surveillance programs. Additionally, the MDHHS laboratory has added capacity to test for Zika infection to help improve public health response time.

For the most current information about Zika, go to www.cdc.gov/zika.

Statewide case counts and Michigan-specific information can be found on the MDHHS Zika webpage www.michigan.gov/zika.

For information about Zika in a specific Michigan county, contact the local health department.

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