City of Miami sprays to prevent mosquito-bourne illnesses (Photo : Joe Raedle / Staff)
Northwest Indiana health officials warn residents of southern parts of Americas to protect against mosquitoes amid an outbreak of the Zika virus.
The residents of southern parts of the Americas are warned though the types of the insect that carry the disease have yet to be identified there, nwi.com reported.
There is a regular chemical spray for mosquitoes while keeping some of the chemicals in reserve in case of an outbreak, says Gary Health Commissioner Roland Walker to the city's health department.
"There's no way you can stop the spread of the mosquito," he said. "You can try to mitigate the risk," he added.
In Brazil, last year Zika virus initially was detected and has continued to spread north. The most serious consequence of the disease is a birth defect called microcephaly, where babies are born with smaller-than-normal heads. According to BBC World, 1,581 Brazilian babies diagnosed with microcephaly caused by the Zika virus.
The threat of Zika virus is in the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands, however there haven't been any locally acquired cases in the United States.
"The aedes albopictus mosquito that is one of two mosquitoes that transmit Zika has been found in the southern two-thirds of the state," said Ken Severson, a spokesman for the Indiana State Department of Health.
"It's not likely they could become established in northern Indiana because of the weather," he added.
Jennifer Harkel, communicable disease supervisor for the Porter County Health Department says, people returning to Indiana from brazil and Mexico should get tested if they are symptomatic (fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes) or pregnant. "Fortunately, we don't have these mosquitoes in Northwest Indiana," Harkel said. "They haven't been living here."
Mosquito-prevention tips suggested by Gary Health Department
1. Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, lemon eucalyptus oil, para-menthane-diol or IR3535.
2. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
3. Cover cribs, strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting.
4. Use screens on windows and doors.
5. Check for and empty all standing water once a week: tires, buckets, toys, pools, pool covers, flower pots, trash containers, failing septic systems, etc.
Check the video on Zika Virus symptoms below.
