Zika Virus: Did You Know?

• Zika was first discovered in 1947.

• Zika, doesn’t infect the same mosquitoes as West Nile virus (the Culex species spreads West Nile).

• Aedes aegypti mosquito transmits Zika. The Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes spread Zika, Yellow Fever, Dengue and Chikungunya viruses.

• Aedes mosquitoes are not always seen since they don’t typically fly out in front of you.

• Aedes mosquitoes are sneaky preferring to bite in the daytime while lurking close to the ground, where they are more difficult to spot (they will also feed at night). Be sure to protect and cover your legs and feet.

• Aedes mosquitoes will breed in water collected in old tires, ditches that don’t drain, flowerpots, small jars, pet dishes, bird baths, clogged gutters and even containers as small as a bottle cap. Homeowners should empty any and all containers with standing water. Your yard could be the breeding ground.

• Aedes aegypti mosquitoes don’t travel very far. Given the chance, they’ll even reside in the cleanest homes, preferring to hide in utility rooms, and will bite everything in sight.

• Mosquitoes will lay eggs, often waiting for a few drops of water so they can hatch (some mosquito eggs can withstand drying for up to a year). Eggs are often found along riverbanks.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, currently, there is no vaccine or medicine for the Zika Virus. Check out the CDC Website for more info: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html).