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ZIKA Q&A: What is it? How can I avoid it?

Indiana has its first case of Zika virus
Copyright Associated Press
Felipe Dana
<p>In this Jan. 27, 2016, file photo, an Aedes aegypti mosquito is photographed through a microscope at the Fiocruz institute in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil. The mosquito behind the Zika virus seems to operate like a heat-driven missile of disease. Scientists say the hotter it gets, the better the mosquito that carries Zika virus is at transmitting a variety of dangerous illnesses. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File)</p>
Indiana has its first case of Zika virus
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WATCH a full Q&A with a doctor from the Indiana Department of Health in the video player above.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana health officials confirmed the first case of the Zika virus in the state.

The officials say it was a non-pregnant resident who recently traveled to Haiti.

The case wasn't severe enough to require hospitalization.

Jen Brown, a doctor from the Indiana State Department of Health, said the person from Indiana has made a full recovery.

She added that Indiana residents have a very low risk of contracting the Zika virus. She said her advice would be for pregnant women not to travel.

"My heart goes out to a woman who's pregnant and has a concern," she said.

Watch a press conference with an Indiana State Department of Health spokesperson below:

 

Live press conference on Zika in Indiana

Posted by RTV6 (WRTV - Indianapolis) on Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Not seeing the video? Click here.

There is currently an epidemic of the virus in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
 
“The risk of contracting Zika virus here in Indiana remains low, but we know that many residents are concerned,” Jerome Adams, Indiana's state health commissioner, said. “We urge anyone visiting affected areas to take steps to avoid mosquito bites.”
 
 
The Centers for Disease Control advise pregnant women to avoid traveling to those areas, or other areas where the virus has been detected, due to concern about birth defects.
 
If you do travel to an area where the Zika virus has been detected, take precautions against mosquito bites including:
  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to reduce the amount of exposed skin
  • Stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside. Sleep under a mosquito bed net if air conditioned or screened rooms aren't available or if sleeping outdoors
  • Use EPA-registered insect repellents. When used as directed, these insect repellents are safe and effective even for pregnant and breastfeeding women
  • Look for products containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 as the active ingredients
  • Treat clothing and gear with permethrin or buy permethrin-treated items. Do not use permethrin directly on skin

“I’m thankful for the work of the Indiana State Department of Health as they have tracked the spread of the Zika virus in Latin America and the Caribbean in the event it would arrive here in Indiana,” Governor Mike Pence said in a release. “Hoosiers can be assured that the Department of Health is working diligently to study the latest information on the Zika virus and will be proactively keeping Hoosiers informed in the weeks and months ahead.”

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