Fla. Residents Warned About Zika Virus

Jan. 28--With the Zika virus now in more than 20 countries and territories in the Americas, health officials say it's only a matter of time before it spreads in the United States.

There have already been more than 20 confirmed cases in the United States, three of them in Florida, but they have all been among international travelers and not acquired here.

Central Florida could be particularly vulnerable. More than 5 million international visitors came here in 2014, according to data from Visit Orlando. More than 1.9 million of those visitors were from South America, and majority of those were from Brazil, where the virus is widespread.

"It's something that we need to follow very closely compared to other infections," said Dr. Federico Laham, medical director of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Practice at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. "And one of the differences is the potential adverse events in pregnant women."

What is Zika?

It's a virus that is spread by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, which is already in Florida. This type of mosquito also carries dengue and chikungunya viruses, which are cousins of Zika. If the mosquito bites an infected person, it can pick up the virus and transmit it to another person through a bite.

Where does Zika come from?

The Zika virus has been known since the 1940s, but it mainly circulated in Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. The first case of Zika virus in South America was confirmed in Brazil in May 2015 and the virus has since spread to other South American countries, the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America.

Is the virus in Florida?

So far there have been three confirmed cases of Zika virus in Florida -- two in Miami-Dade County and one in Hillsborough County -- but those were in travelers from Colombia and Venezuela. There are currently no locally transmitted cases in Florida or in the United States, excluding Puerto Rico.

What are the risks if I am infected with the virus?

The Zika virus can spread from mom to unborn baby. Evidence suggests that it may be associated with a brain defect called microcephaly, which can cause developmental delays, hearing and vision problems and other problems. But pregnant women aren't the only ones at risk. The virus has also been associated with Guillain-Barre Syndrome in adults, where the body's immune system attacks part of the nervous system and in severe forms, causes paralysis.

What countries are currently on the CDC's travel advisory list?

The CDC is advising women who are trying to become pregnant or are pregnant to postpone or avoid travel to Cape Verde, Mexico, Samoa, the Caribbean (Barbados, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin, U.S. Virgin Island), Central America (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama), and South America (Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela).

How can I protect myself from the virus?

Health officials strongly recommend emptying out all sources of standing water around your home -- from toys to tires to pool covers -- to eliminate breeding grounds for mosquitoes. They also urge people to cover themselves up and use mosquito repellents that have DEET (up to 30 percent), picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535. For very small babies, use mosquito nets.

What are the signs and symptoms of Zika infection?

About one in five people infected with Zika virus get sick, according to the CDC. Hospitalization and deaths are rare. The most common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes.

How do I know if I have been infected with the Zika virus?

There are currently no commercially available diagnostic tests for Zika virus disease, according to the CDC. The testing is done at the CDC and state health departments, so your provider will decide if he or she is going to send the sample for further testing.

What do the Aedes mosquitoes look like?

They have noticeable black and white markings on their bodies and legs. They are active and bite during daytime, so you can't limit your precautions to dusk and dawn only.

Where can I find more information?

You can visit www.cdc.gov/zika and www.floridahealth.gov.

nmiller@tribune.com or 407-420-5158

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