Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that “Zika virus is a cause of microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects.”
Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H., director of the CDC said,
“We’ve now confirmed what mounting evidence has suggested, affirming our early guidance to pregnant women and their partners to take steps to avoid Zika infection and to health care professionals who are talking to patients every day. We are working to do everything possible to protect the American public.”
For travelers to Zika virus affected areas, along with those living in the areas, it’s important to be aware that Dr. Frieden’s statement infers the focus on Zika and pregnant women must include their sexual partners, as men can transmit the virus to women during sexual intercourse.
Dr. Frieden’s statement, in part, misses the mark. While it’s very important to prevent Zika infections in pregnant women, it’s also critical to prevent Zika infections in women who are planning to become pregnant, or already attempting to become pregnant, as well as their sexual partners.
In fairness, the CDC speaks to those trying to become pregnant in data available about Zika on their website, but, unfortunately, they aren’t mentioning these women and their partners in their major statements which get widespread news coverage.
Why is this important?
In reviewing CDC guidelines for Zika and Sexual Transmission we find the following statement,
“Couples who include a man who has been diagnosed with Zika or had symptoms of Zika should consider using condoms or not having sex for at least six months after symptoms begin. This includes men who live in and men who traveled to areas with Zika.”
This infers the CDC currently estimates that it’s possible that in an infected man, the Zika virus can remain viable to infect a woman from contact through sexual intercourse for six months after the initial infection. So, even months after recovering from Zika, a man could infect his partner, which could cause microcephaly in a baby conceived with the infected semen.
Another problem with general CDC announcements is their heavy concentration on the issue of Zika and birth defects. While this is an extremely alarming Zika issue, it is not the only grim issue for Zika infected men and women.
For example, Guillain-Barré syndrome is a serious disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks part of its own peripheral nervous system. Its primary symptoms are weakness or tingling sensations in the legs and upper body which can progress to severe paralysis and can be life-threatening. The Zika virus has been linked to it according to Dr. Frieden.
With no vaccines to prevent contracting the Zika virus and no specific medications to treat it, currently doctors are only able to handle Zika’s symptoms. Therefore, Zika prevention is critical for everyone in Zika infection areas, including travelers.
According to the American Mosquito Control Association, more than one million deaths occur each year from mosquito-borne illnesses, including malaria, dengue, and chikugunya virus. Zika is such a virus. It’s primarily spread by the Aedes Aegypti, the same mosquito spreading yellow fever, dengue and chikungunya.
If you travel into an area which has a population of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, I recommend you take every precaution available to avoid becoming infected with the Zika virus, no matter how remote the chance of infection is, whether a woman of any pregnancy status, or a man. Here are some recommendations from major public health agencies for you to consider.
• The CDC, recommends pregnant women and those attempting to become pregnant consider postponing travel to Zika affected areas.
• Male partners of women attempting to become pregnant should also consider postponing travel to Zika affected areas.
• Men who have any possibility of being infected with Zika should use a condom during sexual intercourse to prevent transmission of the virus to their partner.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to avoid mosquito bites. Use clothing and gear properly treated with the mosquito repellent, Permethrin. Do not use Permethrin products directly on skin.
• Apply insect repellent to skin with DEET, picaridin and IR3535 which are effective and considered safe, even for pregnant women, according to the CDC. Don’t use insect repellents on babies younger than two months of age.
• Only choose hotels with air conditioning or at least with screens on all windows and doors.
• If you’re sleeping outside, sleep under a mosquito net. Mosquitos live inside as well as outside, so if your room isn’t air conditioned and not well screened, use mosquito netting.
While most people infected with Zika experience only mild symptoms, the disease can be devastating to those living and traveling in affected areas. All should heed the public health warnings about Zika and if in a Zika affected area, take the precautions necessary to prevent contracting the disease.
(Image: Aedes aegypti mosquito Copyright © 2009 John Tann)
After many years working in corporate America as a chemical engineer, executive and eventually CFO of a multinational manufacturer, Ned founded a tech consulting company and later restarted NSL Photography, his photography business. Before entering the corporate world, Ned worked as a Public Health Engineer for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. As a well known corporate, travel and wildlife photographer, Ned travels the world writing about travel and photography, as well as running photography workshops, seminars and photowalks. Visit Ned’s Photography Blog and Galleries.
