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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – In the past few months, the Zika Virus has been highlighted often through the media. But, do North Dakota residents have anything to worry about?
The World Health Organization has confirmed numerous cases in the U.S. over the past three months and officials don’t have a vaccine or way to combat it. The virus has been referred to as a “travel-associated” disease. The disease causes many mild symptoms in humans including fever, rash, joint pain, muscle pain, and headaches. But the main concern is the birth defects that can occur to developing babies.
The disease can also be contracted sexually. Recently, one of the first positive cases of the Zika virus being transmitted sexually was reported in Ontario, Canada.
Central Valley Health Unit Administrator Robin Iszler says that state residents don’t need to worry about the virus.
Iszler stated that the disease is carried more by mosquitoes in the tropical areas of the world and that’s why residents living in North Dakota are safe. But, residents traveling to more tropical locations with the Aedes mosquito are at risk.
The CDC reports that the best way to prevent contracting the Zika virus is to wear EPA registered repellents. The CDC says that right now, there is no known mosquitoes in the US carrying the diseases, but it could happen at some point in the future and Iszler points out that the state would have steps to prepare itself.
Iszler also mentioned that the best way to prepare yourself if you’re traveling to a tropical area is to do research on that location to see if the Zika virus is located there.
You can click the PDF link below to learn more about Zika. You can also contact Central Valley Health for more information on the virus.