Take precautions on Zika, but don’t panic

Although the World Health Organization has declared the Zika virus an international public health emergency based on growing concern that it could cause birth defects, local mosquito-borne transmission of the illness has not been identified in the continental United States.

Put simply, the overall risk of the Zika virus becoming a major public health concern in North Texas is relatively low. That doesn’t mean residents shouldn’t take precautions, especially when traveling to areas like Central and South America where the virus is present.

There’s also some thought that mosquitoes may pick up Zika from biting a human who has the virus, as well as concern that the illness can spread via blood transfusion and sexual contact.

In fact, the only non-traveling Zika transmissions reported in the U.S. thus far are the result of sexual contact.

Zika is carried by the Aedes (A. aegypti and possibly A. albopictus) mosquito, which carries related viruses called Dengue and Chikungunya.

Although we have seen outbreaks of these viruses in the southern part of the U.S., including Texas, most mosquitoes in the U.S. are not infected with these arboviruses.

Even more good news: Zika has yet to be detected in any mosquitoes in the U.S.

That doesn’t negate the possibility of infected mosquitoes reaching the U.S. later this spring or summer.

The truly disconcerting question is whether mosquitoes in the U.S. could become carriers of the Zika virus. The answer, in theory, is yes.

With travel-associated cases of the Zika virus becoming more prevalent in the U.S., coupled with the looming increase in mosquito exposure during spring and summer months, local Zika-infected mosquito populations could develop.

Even if spraying could eliminate all adults and larvae, eggs of the Aedes mosquitoes are highly resilient to drought and extreme temperatures and can survive for up to six months.

Eggs hatch when they become wet, and the mosquito population can swell rapidly within two to three weeks.

Abundant spring rains and standing water create the ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes, so it’s imperative that municipal and county officials begin now reminding residents to eliminate sources of standing water.

Increased public education is key to prevent mosquito breeding and reduce mosquito bites. Standard precautions are the same as for West Nile virus:

▪ Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors,

▪ Wear insect repellents that contain DEET (safe for pregnant women), and

▪ Limit outdoor activities at dusk and dawn.

North Texans who’ve not traveled to areas of the world where the virus is present have little need for concern.

However, pregnant women who’ve recently traveled to an affected area and show symptoms of the virus — fever, rash, joint pain, conjunctivitis of the eyes — should err on the side of caution and be tested for Zika.

Testing is available at the Tarrant County Health Department for anyone who’s traveled to an affected area and is pregnant or shows symptoms.

This story was originally published February 29, 2016 at 5:30 PM with the headline "Take precautions on Zika, but don’t panic."