For Travelers: Information on Zika Virus Protection

For Providers: Information on Zika Virus Testing in the District of Columbia 


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http://www.cdc.gov/zika/fs-posters/index.html

Zika virus is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. For most people, infection with Zika virus causes a mild illness, and only about 1 in 5 people have symptoms. The most common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain, or red eyes (conjunctivitis). Symptoms usually begin within one week of being exposed to the virus. There are no vaccines to prevent Zika virus infection, and no medicines to treat infection.

Most people in the United States (US) who have become infected with Zika virus have travelled to Zika-affected areas, which include Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Some people have also become infected with Zika after having sexual contact with someone who travelled to a Zika-affected area. A pregnant woman can spread Zika to her fetus during pregnancy, or to her newborn around the time of birth. Zika is a cause of microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects. Microcephaly is a birth defect in which a baby’s head is smaller than expected. It is important that pregnant women who have travelled to Zika-affected areas tell their doctors about their travel.

Pregnant women and those who are planning on starting a family should avoid to Zika-affected areas. If a pregnant women's partner traveled to or resides in a Zika-affected area, the couple should use condoms or abstain from sex for the duration of the pregnancy. Anyone travelling to affected areas, should take steps to avoid mosquito bites by using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved insect repellant, wearing long sleeves and pants, and staying in areas where mosquitoes are less likely to live such as air conditioned buildings and buildings with screens and windows. Even if they do not feel sick, travelers returning to the US from Zika-affected areas should take steps to prevent mosquito bites for three weeks so they do not spread Zika to mosquitoes that could spread the virus to other people.

For residents: If you have travelled to an area with Zika transmission and have symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider for testing. The DC Health does not have clinics where people can be tested, but works with healthcare providers in the city to facilitate testing. Pregnant women who have travelled to an area with Zika transmission in the last 12 weeks should contact their healthcare provider regardless of symptoms.

For questions regarding Zika virus testing, please email [email protected].

If you would like to report high numbers of mosquitos or standing water in your neighborhood, please call the Mosquito Hotline at (202) 442-5833 or email [email protected].

• Last Update: Daily (5 pm EST)​
• Total Human Cases Related to International Travel: 36
• Locally Acquired Mosquito Borne Cases: 0

Aedes Albopictus and Aedes Aegypti Test Results: These are the  two species of mosquitoes that are capable of transmitting the Zika virus.

• Total Positive Results:0

 A list of results can be found below under "Mosquito Information and Test Results".