Zika Virus

ABOUT ZIKA VIRUS

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Zika virus a Public Health Emergency of International Concern February 1, 2016. The Georgia Department of Public Health and Cobb & Douglas Public Health cautions travelers, especially women who are pregnant, to protect themselves against mosquito bites when heading to countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.

WHAT IS IT?

Zika is a viral disease that is transmitted to people by mosquitoes. It is transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which also spreads dengue and chikungunya. Mosquitoes become infected when they bite a person already infected with the virus. Zika virus can be spread during sex by a partner infected with Zika to their partners. Outbreaks have occurred in countries in Africa, Asia, South America, Latin America and the Caribbean. Zika virus usually remains in the blood of an infected person for about a week.