As Maryland colleges break for summer, a Zika awareness reminder

Mosquitoes spreading virus in many C. America, S. America, Caribbean countries

Baltimore, MD (May 4, 2016) – As Maryland college students study for final exams and complete their projects, travel can factor heavily into their summer plans.  The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is reminding them and their families to take precautions to minimize the risk of contracting Zika. 

“Planned summer vacations could take Marylanders to popular destinations where the Zika virus is being spread by mosquito and through sexual contact,” said Secretary Van T. Mitchell. “We are reminding our residents to exercise caution, given the link between Zika infection of pregnant women and the occurrence of birth defects in their babies.”   

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Zika virus is chiefly spread through mosquito bites, though less frequently, transmission via sexual contact, blood transfusion and to newborns during pregnancy has been documented. Because of the link between Zika and the microcephaly birth defect, characterized by smaller heads and underdeveloped brains in newborns, the CDC recommends that pregnant women consider postponing travel to areas where Zika virus is spreading. These areas now include several additional countries in Central America, South America and the Caribbean.  

Women who are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant are advised to not travel to countries with known Zika transmission. Travelers also should be sure to guard against mosquito bites for the seven days after they return home, to prevent a mosquito from passing on any potential infection.  

The CDC says most infected people are non-symptomatic. Men who have traveled to an area with Zika and whose partners are pregnant should use condoms every time they have sex – or they should abstain from sex – during the pregnancy.

When traveling to countries where Zika virus or other viruses spread by mosquitoes are found, travelers are advised to take the following steps:

• Wear lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
  
• Stay in places with air conditioning or that use window screens and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.
  
• Sleep under a mosquito bed net if you are overseas or outside and are not able to protect yourself from mosquito bites.Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Always follow the product label instructions.
  
• Reapply insect repellent as directed.
  
• Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing.
  
• If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen before applying insect repellent.
  
• If you have a baby or child:
  
  • Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months of age.
  • Dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs, or
  • Cover crib, stroller, and baby carrier with mosquito netting.
  • Do not apply insect repellent onto a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, and cut or irritated skin.
  • Adults: Spray insect repellent onto your hands and then apply to a child’s face.
• Treat clothing and gear with permethrin or purchase permethrin-treated items.
  
• Treated clothing remains protective after multiple washings. See product information to learn how long the protection will last.
  
• If treating items yourself, follow the product instructions carefully.
  
• Do NOT use permethrin products directly on skin. They are intended to treat clothing.

For more CDC information on avoiding Zika infection during travel, visit http://goo.gl/lgHuWC. For CDC information on the Zika virus in Spanish, visit http://goo.gl/9oYFgj. 

Health and Mental Hygiene’s Maryland Zika case count, prevention information and video from our employee Zika town hall meeting can be found at http://goo.gl/eW937c. Maryland’s Department of Agriculture also has a page about mosquito control and other Zika-related information at http://goo.gl/Gdw3RJ.    

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The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is the state government agency that protects Maryland’s public health.  We work together to promote and improve the health and safety of all Marylanders through disease prevention, access to care, quality management, and community engagement. Stay connected:  www.twitter.com/MarylandDHMH  andwww.facebook.com/MarylandDHMH. ​