Zika Virus F.A.Q. In Tennessee

Zika is the word. It’s the word that we started hearing a little about last year, but it’s a word that has really come to the front and center of everyone’s attention this year. Here in Tennessee, we had our first confirmed case of Zika in February of 2016. This case was a perfect example of someone who traveled to an area with active Zika transmission - as they had recently been to South America. The United States now has had active Zika transmissions, which means that there are mosquitoes carrying this virus here in our country. Right now, the cases have only been seen in Miami/Dade county in Florida, but that could change.

Here are 10 of the most frequently asked questions pertaining to Zika:

1. What is Zika virus? Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus that can have varying adverse effects on the people who are infected with it. Until 2015 it had only been an issue in countries in Central and South America as well as the Caribbean.

2. How is Zika spread? Zika virus is spread 4 ways but always begins with mosquitoes. Once the virus is in a person then it can be spread by sexual contact with an infected man, by blood transfusion with infected blood/person, and from an infected mother to their unborn baby

3. What are the symptoms of Zika virus? 1 in 5 people who are infected with Zika will have symptoms. These symptoms usually begin 3-12 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito or acquiring the virus. These symptoms include fever, joint pain, rash, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild in healthy adults and can last from a few days up to a couple of weeks. Infections in pregnant women have been linked to miscarriage and a birth defect called microcephaly. For more information on microcephaly click here.

4. Is Zika in Tennessee? There have been confirmed cases of Zika here in Tennessee, but none of these are from local mosquitoes. They all are from someone who had traveled to a known active Zika territory or someone who has gotten it from an infected person by sexual contact.

5. Have there been any Zika virus related microcephaly cases here in Tennessee? Out of the 45-50 cases of microcephaly that occur in Tennessee each year, none of them have been from Zika virus related cases.

6. Is there a vaccine for Zika virus? No. At this time there is not a vaccine to protect against the Zika virus.

7. What are the treatments for the Zika virus? There is no specific treatment for the virus. If you suspect that you may have contracted the Zika virus then you should contact your doctor for diagnosis and further information.

8. What are the CDC’s guidelines for pregnant women when it comes to travel and pregnancy? The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has a whole section of their website devoted to pregnancy and Zika. It addresses all avenues of this delicate part of the Zika virus concern. Click here to learn more.

9. What do the mosquitoes look like that carry Zika virus and are they in Tennessee? The Zika virus is spread by two different types of mosquitoes, the Aedes aegypti and the Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito). Both of these mosquitoes can be found throughout Tennessee. They both can be identified by white stripes on their black legs and bodies. *Remember none of the United States documented Zika cases were from local mosquito populations.

10. What can I do to reduce the mosquitoes around my Tennessee home, property, or business? Mosquitoes breed in standing water. So not allowing any standing water on your property will cut back on the number of them. Also keeping your landscape well maintained and your grass cut short will allow for fewer areas for mosquitoes to hide in during the warmest parts of the day. While these preventative measures will certainly help to keep the population of mosquitoes down on your Tennessee property, if you'd like a more comprehensive approach, contact us here at All-American Pest Control for more information on mosquito treatments. We can target more specific areas, helping you more effectively control mosquitoes around your property.

Keeping your yard from becoming a breeding and feeding ground for mosquitoes is simple, contact us today and set up a time for your free evaluation. We’ll come to you when it’s convenient for you to discuss all the issues and options for your property. We are sure that you will be surprised at how easy and affordable proper pest protection from the experts here at All-American Pest Control can be!