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Health Protection Director says area Zika infections unlikely

How Zika and other mosquito borne illnesses are spread are on minds around the world as communities deal with growing threats. 
Fortunately, for area residents, Knox County Director of Health Protection Sam Jarvis says that Illinois’ cold winters make it difficult for mosquitos to breed and thrive.

Most Zika cases detected in the U.S. are travel related, Jarvis says.

Symptoms of Zika include mild fever, rash and conjunctivitis although health professionals don’t consider it life threatening.

Whether mosquitos are carrying West Nile or Zika, the health department emphasizes the same thing. Prevention.

Jarvis tells WGIL it’s been a light year for West Nile Virus activity in Illinois but that could change fairly quickly.

“When you look at hot temperatures and stagnating water, it’s really possible for mosquito activity to increase pretty quickly,” Jarvis says. “But in terms of this year we’ve seen, I think the state’s reporting it’s been low activity.”

He advises dumping or flushing items that contain standing water like kiddie pools and bird baths.

Standing water in hot temperatures can foster mosquito larva.

Jarvis says it’s also smart to wear mosquito repellant and after dusk to wear long sleeves and pants.

On Tuesday the Centers for Disease Control issued a travel warning for pregnant women and their partners against traveling to a small town north of Miami, Florida.

This is the first time the CDC has ever advised against traveling to a city in the continental United States over infectious diseases concerns.

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