Health Officials: Zika Virus Unlikely To Spread To Detroit
DETROIT (WWJ) - It seems as though everywhere you go, someone is talking about the Zika virus. But officials say Detroit residents have nothing to worry about.
The Detroit Health Department says there is no need for city residents to become overly concerned about the widely reported Zika virus, as it is very unlikely to spread to Detroit. The breed of mosquito responsible for carrying the virus does not live in Michigan.
There have not been any cases of the Zika virus in Detroit, and there has been only one case in Michigan -- an Ingham County resident who contracted the virus while traveling abroad.
Zika is a disease spread through the bite of an infected mosquito in tropical climates that leads to flu-like symptoms, fever, rash, red eyes and muscle pain. It is usually mild and lasts several days to a week. Many people who are infected will not experience symptoms. There is neither a vaccine to prevent nor medication to treat Zika. In pregnant mothers, the virus has been linked to brain damage and abnormally small heads among their babies. Zika is primarily spread by mosquito, although it can also be spread through sexual contact with an infected partner.
"Zika virus is extremely unlikely to take hold in Detroit or affect Detroiters who haven't traveled to affected areas, but residents should know that we are ready to deal with any cases that may occur among travelers," Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, director of the Detroit Health Department, said in a statement.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that international travelers protect themselves from mosquito bites by wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants to reduce exposed skin; using insect repellent that contains 20% or more DEET or Picaridin; and staying in screened or air-conditioned rooms. In addition, the CDC recommends that sexual partners protect themselves by using condoms to prevent sexually transmitted infections.
For more information, call the Detroit Medical Center's hotline for travelers at 1-888-DMC-3370 or go to the CDC's travel website, www.cdc.gov/travel.
