Zika, Mosquitoes, and Public Health

Northern Kentucky Health Department

Environmental Health and Safety

859.341.4151

https://nkyhealth.org/individual-or-family/health-alerts/zika-virus/

Zika 101 – The Basics

• What is Zika?

• Symptoms

• How it is transmitted

• Illness -- with or without symptoms

• Treatment

Why the Concern?

• Currently no treatment or vaccine

• Significant outbreaks this year

• Potential to cause severe birth defects • Microcephaly

• Other neurological issues

• Miscarriage, stillbirth

Health Department’s Overall Goal

• To take appropriate public health actions and to provide information and guidance to health professionals, local officials, and the general public to reduce the likelihood that locally-transmitted cases of Zika or other mosquito-borne illnesses occur in Northern Kentucky.

• Monitor, plan, act

Three Response Areas

• Public information

• Disease control (Human illness)

• Environmental control

• Highlights from a dedicated team of public health professionals

Public Information

• Goal: Educate the general public and community partners about Zika infection, mosquito control recommendations, and steps that can be taken to reduce personal risks

Public Information

• Health care providers

• Local governments

• Other organizations, including swimming pools, parks, travel agencies

• General public

• Posters, flyers, updates, press conferences, media interviews and articles, etc.

Disease Control

• Goal: Inform and assist health care providers and individuals regarding Zika concerns and recommendations.

Disease Control

• Educating health care partners about the Zika virus

• Working with physicians and hospitals on detecting any possible Zika cases and submitting specimens for laboratory testing

• Tracking travel-acquired Zika cases

• Answering residents’ questions about Zika

Environmental Control

• Goal: Take actions to prevent mosquito breeding grounds, monitor mosquito populations and address mosquito concerns related to Zika and other mosquito-borne illnesses (e.g. Chikungunya, dengue fever).

Environmental Control

• Complaint response

• Proactive larviciding

• Monitoring of mosquito population

• Tracking and mapping

• Zika case environmental investigation

• Reporting to state officials (Department for Public Health and Agriculture)

• Limited mosquito spraying by Department of Agriculture

What We All Can Do

Remove Sources of Standing Water

• Dispose of old tires, buckets or other refuse that can hold water

• Clean debris from gutters and downspouts

• Change water in bird baths and baby pools at least weekly

• Keep swimming pools clean, chlorinated and filtered

Sources of Standing Water

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

• Keep mosquitoes out of the home by keeping windows, doors and porches tightly sealed

• Keep screens in good repair

• Use air conditioning when available

• In the United States, mosquitoes transmit a variety of viruses

• More than 50 mosquito species can be found in Kentucky but only a few are a significant nuisance and/or public health threat

The Primary Culprit of Zika

Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes

• Most likely originated in Africa

• Have migrated globally throughout the tropical, subtropical and parts of the temperate world through global trade and shipping activities

• Aggressive daytime and nighttime biters

Aedes albopictus Mosquitoes

• Have adapted to survive in a broader temperature range at cooler temperatures, so they persist in more temperate climates like Kentucky.

Culex Mosquitoes

• Lay groups of eggs on the surface of water in rain barrels, bird baths, tin cans, old tires, car bodies, cisterns, roof gutters and other containers which hold water

• Typically bite during evening hours

Disease Transmission

• Culex are the principal vectors of West Nile virus and related illnesses

• Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are the principal vectors of • Dengue fever

• Chikungunya

• Yellow fever

• Zika virus

Bite Prevention

• Use an EPA-registered insect repellent -- Look for these ingredients: DEET, picardin, IR3535

• Always read and follow directions on the repellent container

• Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months of age

Bite Prevention

• Wear light colored long sleeves, long pants and a hat when you plan to be outdoors

• Treat clothing and camping gear with permethrin or purchase permethrin-treated clothing and gear

• Do not use permethrin products, intended to treat clothing, directly on skin

Bite Prevention

• If you use sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second

• Insect repellents containing only natural ingredients (citronella or eucalyptus oil) are considered not as effective as products containing DEET

Bite Prevention

• Mosquitoes find their unwitting hosts by detecting carbon dioxide, heat and moisture.

• Breathing, warm skin, and sweat are magnets for mosquitoes in search of a meal.

https://nkyhealth.org/individual-or-family/health-alerts/zika-virus/

https://nkyhealth.org/individual-or-family/health-alerts/zika-virus/

https://nkyhealth.org/individual-or-family/health-alerts/zika-virus/

Get Your Information from Public Health Professionals • Mission: The Northern Kentucky Health Department is the public

agency charged with performing mandated public health services and addressing priority community health needs.

• We prevent disease, promote wellness and protect against health threats.

Questions?

Northern Kentucky Health Department

Environmental Health and Safety

859.341.4151

https://nkyhealth.org/individual-or-family/health-alerts/zika-virus/