University monitoring Zika virus as spring break approaches

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As spring break approaches, the University of Michigan is monitoring events related to the Zika virus in the Caribbean, Central America and South America.

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“Zika carries significant risk to pregnant women and women trying to become pregnant as it appears to be linked to a very serious and specific birth defect called microcephaly,” says Dr. Robert Winfield, the university’s chief health officer.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued travel guidance for pregnant women and women trying to become pregnant, warning them to avoid visiting places where the virus is currently circulating.

The Zika virus is spread by mosquitos and is therefore most prevalent in tropical environments. Generally, symptoms are mild and include fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis (red eyes), lasting several days to a week. Currently there is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat Zika.

Travelers can limit their exposure to Zika, and other mosquito-borne illnesses like malaria, dengue fever and chikungunya, by taking aggressive precautions to prevent mosquito bites.

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Comments

  1. Cindy candy
    on February 15, 2016 at 9:02 pm

    These issues indeed should be paid more attention as it’s related to health problems.
    http://goo.gl/UG91bz

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