By now, you have probably heard of Zika. Zika is a virus carried by mosquitoes that bite during the daytime hours. We have known about Zika for many decades, but the virus has gained much attention over the last four months. New reports have emerged linking birth defects to mothers infected with Zika while pregnant. And the virus has already made its way to Florida.
ABC Home & Commercial Services is dedicated to keeping our customers informed when a public health emergency occurs. Right now, Zika cases are isolated and rare in the United States. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t learn what we can now and work to eradicate mosquitoes in Orlando as a safety measure. Florida mosquito exterminators across the state are working to understand mosquito diseases like West Nile, Dengue Fever, and Zika so that we can do our best to protect our customers.
What is Zika Virus?
Zika virus is much like West Nile, an illness all too familiar to Orlando residents. Aedes mosquitoes, such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus spread these mosquito-borne infections. These mosquitoes are invasive here in Florida, so we’re doing our best to reign in on infestations before they get worse.
Image By: Beth.herlin via Wikimedia Commons
The symptoms caused by Zika include:
fever, rash
joint pain
conjunctivitis (red eyes)
muscle pain
headache
According to the CDC, 1 in 5 people infected with Zika become ill with these symptoms. More often than not, the symptoms do not prompt people to go to the doctor. Zika is not a deadly illness to catch, but it is easy to spread, like a common cold.
The Dangers of Zika
Zika has been a problem for years, but recently, communities in Brazil have seen a spike in Zika infection rates. There has also been a rise in birth defect microcephaly in children whose mothers were infected with Zika during pregnancy. Microcephaly is an irreversible health condition where babies are born with abnormally small heads.
Although researchers cannot conclude a connection between Zika and microcephaly, the CDC and other organizations are issuing alerts that until Zika can be ruled out, it may be the cause of this deadly fetal abnormality.
CDC Travel Recommendations for Zika
Zika fever is a big health concern in Central and South America. The CDC has issued a Level 2 Alert for travel to countries with known Zika outbreaks. A list of those countries can be found on the CDC website. A Level 2 alert urges travelers to “practice enhanced precautions” if travel to these regions is necessary. The CDC recommends postponing travel plans to these regions if you are pregnant.
Pregnant women are at no greater risk of contracting the Zika virus. Still, because the illness may adversely affect developing fetuses, pregnant women are urged to take more significant safety measures.
How can you avoid catching Zika Fever?
- Wear long sleeves, socks, shoes, and neck/face protection outdoors in mosquito-infested areas.
- Heed the CDC’s Level 2 Alert and took extra precautions against mosquitoes when traveling in foreign countries with Zika. Travel to these regions is not advised for pregnant women right now.*
- Use environmentally friendly mosquito repellents. NPR recently published a list of the best repellents to ward off disease-carrying mosquitoes. See the list here.
- Dump out standing water after it rains.
- Use your best judgment when hiking in regions where mosquitoes pose a risk. If you can, avoid forested areas and swamps where mosquitoes breed.
*Important: If you become pregnant after traveling to one of the countries on the CDC’s list, contact your doctor, even if you don’t catch Zika.
If recent reports of Zika in Orlando concern you, be proactive. Take measures to control the source of this disease. Our Florida climate is a magnet for invasive mosquitoes. Fortunately, there are ways for us to counteract these disease-carrying pests.
ABC has been in the pest control industry since the ’60s. Our mosquito control technicians know what works and where to apply treatment around your yard. We can set up CoastalMister to apply treatments on a cycle, so your yard will be comfortable and mosquito free all Spring.