The Truth About Zika in Maryland
The mosquitos may be closer to home than you think...
As of July 3, 2016 there were 31 confirmed cases in the state of Maryland, however, all of the cases were travel related and none of them resulted from contracting within the state. While this is good news, in a sense, the disease can still spread from a mosquito biting an infected person, and then infecting another person through biting or by sexual transmission. Below are the basics of what you need to know about Zika and how to prevent it:
What is Zika: Zika is a virus spread to people through the bite of the Acedes species of mosquito. The Acedes species is also known to spread the Dengue and Chikungunya viruses. This species has spread the virus in the continents of South America, North America, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands.
Symptoms of Zika: Fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis last usually less than a week. These symptoms can worsen and eventually lead to Guillain-Barre (neurological disease that affects women and children). The virus has been linked to microcephaly in pregnant women's unborn children, a disability that renders the child's head smaller in comparison children of similar age.
What You Can Do: In a recent town hall meeting in Hagerstown, Dr. Howard Haft (deputy secretary for public health services for the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene) encouraged Marylanders to eliminate standing water, fix window screens and avoid mosquito bites. Make sure to apply bug spray or deet in areas where mosquitos may be. If you have contracted Zika, be sure to ask a physician about side-effects if you plan to become pregnant.
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