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Zika Virus

  1. Stop Mosquito Spread
  2. Fight the Bite
  3. Pregnant Women

Stop Mosquitoes Where They Start…
An important way to stop the spread of Zika is to stop the spread of mosquitoes!  Reducing standing water, where mosquitoes breed, around your home is the best way  you can help! 

  • Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out any items that hold water like tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, or trash containers. Mosquitoes lay eggs near water.
  • Tightly cover water storage containers (buckets, cisterns, rain barrels) so that mosquitoes cannot get inside to lay eggs.  For containers without lids, use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.
  • Use larvicides to treat large containers of water that will not be used for drinking and cannot be covered or dumped out.
  • If you have a septic tank, repair cracks or gaps. Cover open vent or plumbing pipes. Use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.
  • Bug zappers do NOT reduce the mosquito population.
  • Learn more about Cumberland County's Evening Control Program

What is Zika? 

  • A virus first discovered in Uganda in 1947
  • Transmitted to humans primarily through bites by Aedes species of mosquito (Asian Tiger mosquito locally)
  • May also be transmitted through sex  and from a pregnant woman to her fetus
  • Outbreaks have occurred since its discovery, though often go unreported due to the mild nature of the symptoms

Signs, Symptoms and Treatment

Many people infected with the Zika virus do not experience symptoms or only have mild symptoms.  Many cases go unreported for this reason. 

  • Common symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, conjunctivitis (red eyes), muscle pain and headaches
  • Symptoms may last several days to a week
  • See your doctor if you have these symptoms and have been to an area with Zika
  • There is no vaccine or medication to treat Zika.  If infected you will be advised to treat the symptoms; rest, fluids and acetaminophen for pain and fever
  • Learn more about signs, symptoms and treatment

Asian Tiger Mosquito

  • The Asian Tiger Mosquito is an aggressive day biter, but can also be active at night
  • Present, but not common in Cumberland County area
  • Takes 7-10 days for eggs to develop into full grown mosquito
  • Lays eggs on walls of items containing water
  • Eggs can survive for up to 8 months on container walls in warmer climates
Aedes albopictus
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