According to the MN Department of Health, “local Zika virus transmission is
not a concern to Minnesota residents since the mosquito species that transmit
the virus are not established in this state. However, individuals who travel to
affected areas may become sick and should either consider delaying travel
(particularly for pregnant women) or follow steps to prevent mosquito bites.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) list 19 cases of Zika
Virus in Minnesota as of June 15, 2016, all of these cases are described as:
Travel-associated cases. (i.e. Travelers
returning from affected areas, their sexual contacts, or infants infected in utero.)
CDC’s maps
indicate that mosquitos carrying the disease are limited to the Southern United
states but could reach Southern MN.
Zika virus disease (Zika) is
a disease caused by the Zika virus, which is spread to people primarily through
the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. The most common symptoms
of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness
is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week after being
bitten by an infected mosquito. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to
the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika. However, Zika virus infection
during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly,
as well as other severe fetal brain defects. Once a person has been infected,
he or she is likely to be protected from future infections. (http://www.cdc.gov/zika/pregnancy/question-answers.html)
Mosquito Transmitted diseases in Minnesota
- West Nile Virus (WNV)
West Nile virus is a disease transmitted to people, horses, and birds. It is the most commonly reported mosquito-transmitted disease in Minnesota. Most people infected with West Nile virus show no symptoms or flu-like symptoms, but some (primarily elderly) have more severe illness. West Nile virus was found in Minnesota in 2002 and will remain a public health concern in the foreseeable future. In 2014, 21 cases of WNV disease were reported in Minnesota.
Others types are as follows:
Preventing Mosquito Exposure
- Reduce
or eliminate mosquito breeding grounds (i.e., sources of stagnant or
standing water).
- Cover
as much skin as possible by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and
socks when possible.
- Avoid
use of perfumes and colognes when working outdoors.
- Use
an insect repellent containing DEET or Picaridin on skin that is not
covered by clothing.
- Choose
a repellent that provides protection for the amount of time that you will
be exposed. The more DEET or Picaridin a repellent contains, the longer
time it can protect you.
- Spray
insect repellent on the outside of your clothing (mosquitoes can bite
through thin clothing).
- Do
NOT spray insect repellent on skin that is under clothing.
- After
working, use soap and water to wash skin and clothing that has been
treated with insect repellent.
- Be extra vigilant
from dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most active
Sources:
MN
Department of Health: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/mosquitoborne/diseases.html
Interim Guidance for
Protecting Workers from Occupational Exposure to Zika Virus: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/outdoor/mosquito-borne/pdfs/osha-niosh_fs-3855_zika_virus_04-2016.pdf
CDC
Zika in the United States
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