Is The Zika Virus Still a Threat?
Summer is the perfect time for family vacations and trips abroad. It is also during these months that mosquitoes become a visitor to backyards across New Jersey. With the rise in mosquitoes, comes increased worry about the potential dangers they carry with them. One of the harmful diseases mosquitoes carry is known as the Zika virus.
The Zika Virus first emerged in the July 2016, when the Center for Disease Control (CDC) confirmed four cases in Miami, Florida. Since then, the urgency to find a cure for the disease carried by mosquitoes has been a trending topic. While, cases declined in the past years, a recent report from the CDC claiming that Zika causes birth defects has brought the matter back to the news.
What You Need to Know About Zika
The Zika virus is a silent virus meaning most people that have it, don’t see symptoms. Some individuals have reported having a rash, headache, fever, and achiness before being diagnosed with it. Those that experience symptoms can have them up to a week. There is currently no cure for Zika, but the CDC advises that patients get rest, stay hydrated, and take medicine as needed to manage fever or pain.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) is in phase two of developing a Zika virus trial in Texas, Puerto Rico, and other highly infected areas. Those at the biggest risk of being infected with Zika are pregnant women because it is passed to their fetus and linked to a brain birth defect.
Steps You Can Take to Prevent Zika
Since the Zika Virus is typically spread through mosquito bites, the best way to avoid it is by taking precautions against mosquitoes.
- Travel Wisely
Before you confirm travel plans, check the list of known areas with Zika cases. Also make sure you take proper precautions while abroad to avoid mosquito bites.
- Treat Your Yard
If mosquitoes have set home in your backyard, contact a professional lawn service company for help with a mosquito prevention plan. Preventing mosquitoes in your yard requires applications every four to six weeks during mosquito season. A lawn care service will treat your grass, trees, shrubs, and any areas that are prone to moisture.
- Prevent Mosquito Bites
When you are outside, whether in the states or abroad, take precaution against bites. Wear long pants and long sleeve shirts that are treated with permethrin. Always use insect repellent with active ingredients known to deflect mosquitoes. Cover infants with mosquito netting and install screen doors and windows on your house to keep them outside.
If you are concerned about mosquitoes in your yard and the potential threat of diseases like the Zika Virus, call Perennial Lawn Care today. We’re committed to making you feel more comfortable and stress-free spending time outside.
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