The Air Force is closely monitoring the emergence of Zika
virus infection in the Americas, Oceania, and Africa to help inform and protect
Airmen and their families.
The Department of Health and Human Services, with its
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is leading the U.S. response to the
worldwide Zika outbreak with support from multiple other U.S. federal departments
and agencies including Department of Defense.
“What we know about Zika virus continues to evolve, and
we’re focused on providing consistent, science-based guidance to protect our
Total Force Airmen and their family members,” said Col. (Dr.) John Oh, Chief of
Preventive Medicine, Air Force Medical Support Agency.
For example, CDC recently reported that sexual transmission
of Zika virus is possible. Oh said Zika virus updates have been communicated to
Air Force Medical Service staff to quickly prevent, detect, and respond to any
potential cases in patients.
Humans become infected by Zika virus primarily through the
bite of an infected mosquito. Only about one in five persons infected with Zika
virus becomes ill.
Symptoms may include fever, rash, joint pain, conjunctivitis
(red eye), muscle pain, and headache. Most infections are mild, lasting several
days to a week, with complete recovery the norm, according to CDC.
There is new evidence of a potential link between Zika virus
infection during pregnancy and a particular birth defect.
“There may be a link between Zika virus infection during
pregnancy and the baby having microcephaly, which is a birth defect where the
baby’s head is smaller than expected. Babies with microcephaly often have
smaller brains that have not developed properly,” Oh said.
“It’s understandable that people are concerned. You have a
virus that people have never heard of, it’s spread by mosquitoes, which makes
all of us feel vulnerable, and there may be a link with a devastating outcome
in babies,” he said.
The CDC recently advised women who are pregnant to consider
postponing travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing, and
women who are trying to get pregnant should consult their healthcare provider
before traveling.
So far, the few Zika virus infections diagnosed in the
continental United States have occurred in travelers to countries or
territories with ongoing Zika virus spread, according to CDC, and there has not
been local Zika infections spread by mosquitoes in CONUS.
For those who are in areas with ongoing Zika virus spread,
Colonel Oh said the best way to prevent infection from Zika virus and other
mosquito-borne viruses, such as dengue and chikungunya, is to prevent mosquito
bites by using air conditioning or window and door screens when indoors,
wearing long sleeves and pants, using permethrin-treated clothing and gear, and
using insect repellants when outdoors.
When used according to product label, insect repellants
registered by the Environmental Protection Agency are safe to use in pregnant
women and children.
To prevent Zika virus from spreading to CONUS, particularly
in the southern states that have the mosquito species which carries Zika,
dengue, and chikungunya, Oh said we must remove standing water where mosquitoes
can breed, such as buckets, birdbaths, dog bowls, old tires, gutters, and other
containers.
To prevent sexually transmitted Zika infection, according to
CDC, men who live in or have traveled to an area with Zika infection and who have
a pregnant partner should abstain from sexual activity or consistently and
correctly use condoms for the duration of the pregnancy.
For more information and the latest public health updates on
Zika virus, visit the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/zika. CDC Travel Health
Notices are updated on their travel notices page at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.