COURT HOUSE – Cape May County Department of Health is closely monitoring reports and advisories from the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), New Jersey State Health Department and World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the Zika virus.
“There has been no reported cases of a Zika virus in Cape May County at this time,” Kevin Thomas, Cape May County health officer, stated in a release.
Zika virus is transmitted to humans primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito. There have been reports of a serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly and other poor pregnancy outcomes in babies of mothers who were infected with Zika virus while pregnant. The concern is not just for babies. Zika has also been linked in Brazil to Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a neurological disorder that causes paralysis. Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites when you travel.
As a precautionary measure, people who travel to American Samoa, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Cape Verde (Africa), Colombia, Costa Rica, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin, Samoa (Oceania/Pacific Islands), Suriname, Tonga, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Venezuela to be aware of the transmission of Zika virus. Pregnant women should be especially cautious if traveling to these areas. Zika virus can be transmitted from a pregnant mother to her unborn baby anytime during pregnancy. Pregnant woman should reconsider travel plans and/or strictly follow the steps below to avoid mosquito bites:
- Choose a hotel or lodging with air conditioning or screens on windows and doors.
- Sleep under a mosquito bed net if you are outside or in a room that is not well screened.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
- Consider bringing insect repellent with you.
- Reapply insect repellent every few hours.
Mosquito bites are the main route of Zika transmission to people. There has been one confirmed case of the virus being sexually transmitted. If an individual has been to a country or territory with Zika virus they should refrain from sexual activity for at least two weeks. Symptoms of the virus include:
- Fever
- Rash
- Joint Pain
- Conjunctivitis (Red Eye)
- Muscle Pain
- Headache
Only 20 percent of individuals who contract the virus will experience the symptoms listed. If you feel that you have come in contact with the Zika virus please consult your primary care provider.
“There are other protective measures that you can take to protect yourself and family from disease carrying mosquitoes,” added Thomas. “You should safeguard your house and property to reduce the number of mosquitoes near your home.”
- Remove standing water on your property where mosquitoes can lay eggs. Mosquitoes will develop in any puddle that lasts more than 4 days
- Clean and chlorinate unused swimming pools
- Maintain screens on doors and windows
- Clean your gutters and make sure water runs freely
The County Departments of Health and Mosquito Control work together each year to help prevent all mosquito-borne diseases. Both agencies have surveillance programs in place to identify the virus in people, birds, and mosquitoes. This information is used by the Department of Mosquito Control to target areas in the county to reduce the mosquito population.
