Zika, the risks and circumstances

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kyle Johnson
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  ZIKTA HOTLINE According to the Department of Defense Armed Forces health Surveillance Branch, the Zika virus has shown an increased level of infections since May 1, 2015.

As of March 24, the virus has been detected in 4,573 cases and suspected in 185,725 more across 39 countries.

The virus is not locally transmitted in the United States, and local transmission not expected to become active in Alaska, said Air Force Capt. Justin Whitaker, flight commander for the 673d Aerospace Medicine Squadron, Public Health Flight. In this case, local transmission would be acquiring the disease from a mosquito.

"Zika is a virus transmitted by mosquitoes, but we do not have that particular mosquito here in Alaska," Whitaker said. "It's called Aedes aegypti; that's in tropical climates like central South America and Africa.

"Zika is not in the United States; all cases have been associated with travel."

For that reason, the Center for Disease Control is recommending travelers avoid areas where the Zika virus is prevalent.

"We don't know if it's a clear-cut association," Whitaker said. "It is possible that it can affect pregnant women and cause birth defects."

In much the same way, health authorities are concerned Zika may be transmitted by sexual contact, but like its effects on pregnant women, there is no conclusive evidence so far, Whitaker said.

"Zika was discovered in 1947 in the Zika forest of Africa," Whitaker said. "[However], there's never been this widespread of an outbreak, so the information out there from the scientific community is limited."

The symptoms of the Zika virus are joint pain, red eyes, fever and rashes. While there is no treatment for Zika at this time, the illness is usually mild and the possibility of death very low, Whitaker said.

Regardless, little is known about Zika at this time and prevention is key.

"Your best option is mosquito prevention," Whitaker said. "If you go to an infected area, wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants. Treat your clothes if you can; use bug spray or stay inside if you can. If you have any questions regarding travel health, you are more than welcome to contact Public Health at 580-4014 and we'd be glad to give you the most up-to-date recommendations out there."