If you're thinking about traveling to Puerto Rico on vacation then you may have heard of the Zika virus that has been linked with Puerto Rico and some other Caribbean islands. Obviously we cannot decide whether or not YOU should travel to Puerto Rico, but we can add some perspective which may help you make a well informed decision.
The Zika virus is named after a well known wilderness area named "Zika Forest" and it is located in Uganda. This is the location of the first place that the Zika virus was discovered in 1947. The Zika virus, like Dengue, Chikengunya, etc, is transmitted by mosquitoes. Often times, people who contract the Zika virus do not even realize they have it because the symptoms are so mild and can resemble the flu. Some other common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes. These symptoms can last several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika. There has been only one death associated complications from Zika and the person who died was a 70 year old man with pre-existing health conditions.
Zika has also been found in many states throughout the United States, but these instances are mostly cases where people have gotten Zika somewhere else and then traveled to another state. If you're solely listening to large media reports, it may seem as though Zika is only found in Puerto Rico. That is not the case. Instances of the virus have been reported from Mexico all the way down to Paraguay and throughout the Caribbean.
As with any mosquito borne virus, the best defense is information and precautions. Educate yourself on the risks and make an informed decision. The primary times of day when mosquitoes are active is early in the morning and at dusk so be extra cautious during these times. Wear bug repellant and wear long sleeves when traveling in highly populated areas or in areas where mosquitoes are common.
For more information, take a look at the information found on the CDC's website and get your information right from the source.
The Zika virus is named after a well known wilderness area named "Zika Forest" and it is located in Uganda. This is the location of the first place that the Zika virus was discovered in 1947. The Zika virus, like Dengue, Chikengunya, etc, is transmitted by mosquitoes. Often times, people who contract the Zika virus do not even realize they have it because the symptoms are so mild and can resemble the flu. Some other common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes. These symptoms can last several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika. There has been only one death associated complications from Zika and the person who died was a 70 year old man with pre-existing health conditions.
Zika has also been found in many states throughout the United States, but these instances are mostly cases where people have gotten Zika somewhere else and then traveled to another state. If you're solely listening to large media reports, it may seem as though Zika is only found in Puerto Rico. That is not the case. Instances of the virus have been reported from Mexico all the way down to Paraguay and throughout the Caribbean.
As with any mosquito borne virus, the best defense is information and precautions. Educate yourself on the risks and make an informed decision. The primary times of day when mosquitoes are active is early in the morning and at dusk so be extra cautious during these times. Wear bug repellant and wear long sleeves when traveling in highly populated areas or in areas where mosquitoes are common.
For more information, take a look at the information found on the CDC's website and get your information right from the source.
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