Fight the Bite!
Fighting mosquito bites reduces your risk of getting Zika virus, along with other diseases that mosquitoes can carry. Reduce your risk by practicing the following:
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
- Use EPA-reigstered insecnt repellents.
- Stay in places with air conditioning and window and door screens.
- Clean out potential mosquitoes areas from the places you work and play.
- Use protection or abstain from sex if you or a partner have recently visited a known Zika area.
Education
Zika virus is an infectious disease spread mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus). These mosquitoes bite during the day and night. Zika can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus, through sexual transmission and possibly through blood transfusion.
Symptoms
- Fever
- Rash
- Muscle or joint pain
- Conjunctivitis (red eyes)
- Headache
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. For this reason, many people might not realize they have been infected. 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. There is no vaccine or medicine for Zika.
Local mosquito-borne Zika virus transmission has been reported in the continental United States. While there have been reported cases of Zika virus in Utah, none of the cases were attributed to local mosquito transmission. As of late 2016, the Aedes species mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus) are not found in Utah, but residents and visitors of Summit County are reminded to take protect themselves when traveling to areas with Zika or engaging in sexual activities with those who have recently visited these regions.
Mosquito bite prevention
Top 5 things to know about Zika
Mosquito bite prevention – Spanish
Top 5 things to know about Zika – Spanish
HELP YOUR COMMUNITY
Mosquito Control Programs
The Summit Mosquito Abatement District works closely with the Health Department in the education and prevention of West Nile virus. They will respond to calls of standing water and mosquito problems. They can be reached at 435-336-2088.
Click here to visit their website.
Clean Up
Mosquito breeding sites can be anywhere. Neighborhood clean up days can be organized by civic or youth organizations to pick up containers from vacant lots and parks, and to encourage people to keep their yards free of standing water. Mosquitoes don’t care about fences, so it’s important to control breeding sites throughout the neighborhood.