The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed a travel-related case of Zika virus on Oahu and identified two others who may have been exposed, prompting a public warning to avoid mosquito bites and eliminate breeding grounds.
Newsweek has reached out to the Hawaii DOH and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for comment via email.
Why It Matters
Zika is predominantly spread by an infected Aedes species mosquito, although the CDC notes that it can also spread through sex or to a fetus during pregnancy. There is no vaccine to prevent or treat Zika virus at this time.
An infection known to cause birth defects, Zika gained national attention in 2015 when a cluster of cases in Brazil produced an uptick in babies born with abnormally small heads.
Oahu is a popular tourist destination that is home to numerous beaches, volcanos, and Peal Harbor, among other attractions.
What To Know
In a May 27 press release, Hawaii’s DOH confirmed that an individual on the Oahu Island has Zika virus. The department is calling upon residents, visitors, and businesses to prevent the virus by taking certain precautions such as:
- Applying insect repellent (Use products registered with the Environmental Protection Agency that contain 20–30% DEET)
- Wear loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and pants
- Keep mosquitos out of homes and businesses by ensuring screens are intact and doors are kept closed
- Remove standing water around home and buildings
Zika virus symptoms are typically mild and may include fever, rash, headache, joint pain, red eyes and muscle pain. Most people don’t know if they contract Zika and about one in five people with Zika have mild symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
However, the virus is most concerning for pregnant woman as it can prevent the “fetus’s brain from developing properly” the CDC states. Health officials recommend using protection during sexual activity to limit the potential spread of the virus.
The most recent travel-related case in Hawaii was reported in 2019, the Hawaii DOH said in the press release. Zika outbreaks were much more common years ago, with an epidemic between 2014 and 2017 in the Americas.
What People Are Saying
The official Nobel Prize X, formerly Twitter, account wrote on May 13: “There are now new opportunities for the development of future vaccines against influenza, Zika, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), thanks to the work of two Nobel Prize laureates who developed mRNA technology to produce COVID-19 vaccines in a remarkably short timeframe.”
What Happens Next
“Vector control teams” have been dispatched to the area around where the individual was, including Haleiwa.
While there is currently no specific treatment for Zika virus, multiple vaccine candidates are currently in development.
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