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The Hawaii Department of Health is warning about a case of Zika virus on the island of Oahu — the first case since 2019
Typical symptoms include rash, fever, headache, joint pain, and pink eye; the virus is more dangerous for pregnant women because it can be transmitted to the fetus
Residents are warned to use insect repellent and remove standing
The Hawaii Department of Health has confirmed at least one case of Zika on the island of Oahu, with two other suspected exposures to the virus.
Zika is spread when a mosquito bites someone who is infected — but it can also spread through sex, the Cleveland Clinic explains.
One in five people infected with Zika will develop symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Symptoms may include an itchy rash, fever, headache, joint pain, and pink eye.
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Stock image of the Aedes mosquito, which carries Zika virus.
This year, Hawaii’s first case of Zika was travel-related — meaning, it was not acquired on the island — the HDOH said in a May 27 statement, where it asked for help in controlling the mosquito population and reducing the risk of bites.
Zika is especially dangerous for pregnant women because it can be transmitted to the fetus, causing microcephaly (a smaller head), improper brain development, and cerebral palsy.
There is also risk of the fetus developing a condition called Congenital Zika Syndrome, which is a combination of severe conditions including a collapsed skull, severe microcephaly, a reduction in brain tissue, as well as problems with eyes, joints, and muscles.
Hawaiians and visitors are urged to use insect repellent — specifically, “products registered with the Environmental Protection Agency that contain 20–30% DEET” or picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535.”
Property owners are urged to make sure screens are intact, doors are left closed and to remove standing water that may encourage mosquitoes to breed.
Andre Seale/VW PICS/Universal Images Group via Getty
Stock image of the North Shore of Oahu in Hawaii.
This is Hawaii’s first case of Zika since 2019, the statement says, noting that the state has Aedes species of mosquitos that carry the Zika virus.
The HDOH said they’ve dispatched “vector control teams” to the areas of most concern, which include including Waialua and the popular surfer destination of Haleʻiwa on the North Shore of Oʻahu.
The island is home to nearly 1 million residents, and is the location of popular destinations like Honolulu, Waikiki and Pearl Harbor — and most recently is where the live-action Lilo & Stitch movie was filmed.
Read the original article on People
