State Officials Continue to Monitor Zika, Urge Awareness of Travel Recommendations | Eastern North Carolina Now

    RALEIGH, N.C. - State health officials continue to monitor for Zika virus, and encourage North Carolinians to be aware of the possible risk of exposure to the virus before traveling to Central and South America, Mexico and the Caribbean.

    To date, no cases have been reported in North Carolina. Fifty-two travel-related Zika virus infections have been reported in the United States as of Feb. 10, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    "While our attention has been focused on educating health providers, and citizens who are traveling to countries with active Zika virus transmission, we are simultaneously prepared to respond to vector-borne diseases in North Carolina," said State Epidemiologist Megan Davies, MD. "Suspected cases of Zika are required to be reported by order of the State Health Director so that we can actively monitor any cases should they appear in North Carolina."

    The Department of Health and Human Services has been collaborating with local health departments on education and monitoring of Zika virus, including:

• Working with local health departments to investigate all potential cases of Zika virus infection in returning travelers;
• Coordinating Zika virus testing, currently available only through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
• Providing information to pregnant women and others about Zika virus and travel recommendations;
• Providing guidance to obstetricians and other health care providers on Zika virus diagnosis and management; and
• Working with mosquito experts at state universities to plan mosquito control trainings for local health departments.

    A pregnant woman infected with Zika virus can pass the virus to her unborn baby. A serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly, and other adverse pregnancy outcomes have been reported in some women who were infected with Zika virus while pregnant. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all pregnant women consider postponing travel to any area with active Zika virus transmission.

    Zika virus testing is recommended for all pregnant travelers returning from areas with ongoing Zika transmission. This includes both pregnant women with symptoms of Zika and pregnant women with no symptoms. Testing is also recommended for men and non-pregnant women who develop symptoms of Zika within two weeks after travel to areas with ongoing transmission.

    Zika virus is spread through the bite of an infectious mosquito. Isolated cases of the virus spreading through sexual contact and blood donation have been reported. Symptoms can include rash, red eyes, fever and body aches. Only about one in five people infected with Zika virus will show symptoms.

    To protect against any mosquito vector-borne illness, individuals are always encouraged, as a routine precaution, to take steps to prevent mosquito bites, such as wearing insect repellent registered with the Environmental Protection Agency, wearing long sleeves and pants and tipping containers that can hold water and serve as breeding sites for mosquitos. When travelling, choose lodging with window screens or air conditioning.

    Because Zika virus has been sexually transmitted, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that men who have traveled to an area with active Zika virus transmission who have a pregnant partner should abstain from sexual activity, or consistently and correctly use protection for the duration of the pregnancy. People who have traveled to areas with active Zika virus transmission are asked not to donate or sell blood products for 28 days after they return.

    Again, no cases of Zika virus infection have been reported in North Carolina to date.

    For more information about Zika virus, visit http://epi.publichealth.nc.gov/cd/diseases/zika.html or www.cdc.gov/zika.

      NC Department of Health and Human Services

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