The Zika virus has instilled fear in many people since it first hit the United States sometime between 2013 and 2015. This malignant virus originated in the Zika forest of Uganda and was discovered by researchers in 1947. It’s a serious concern among the world population, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recently issued some alarming news for the nation: The Zika virus is spreading.
What You Should Know About the Zika Virus
The Zika virus doesn’t spread between people like the flu. Instead, it’s transmitted by infected mosquitoes, particularly the Aedes species. These mosquitoes are active during the day and are also responsible for spreading other viruses such as dengue and chikungunya. You can get the virus in a few ways:
- From mother to child during pregnancy
- Through sex with an infected person
- Through blood fusion
- Through exposure in a healthcare setting
Traveling to a highly infected area, such as Central and South America, is another way to contract the Zika virus. Even traveling to virus-infected states like Texas and Florida can put you at a higher risk. The symptoms set in between three and 12 days after infection and include headaches, fever, muscle pain and weakness. They only last for a couple days or a week at the most and don’t cause fatalities in either adults or children. However, the virus may cause birth defects in pregnant women.
Protecting Your Family From the Zika Virus
You can do something to prevent mosquitoes from congregating in your yard and to protect your loved ones from the Zika virus. Contact MosquitoNix of Charleston to find out more about how our effective mosquito misting systems place a barrier around your home. Our misting systems offer between a 95 and a 99 percent reduction in mosquito populations, eliminating current infestations and keeping them far away from your home and family.
