Physical Wellness

Zika Virus Infects Ohio Local: How to Protect Yourself From Zika

By George Houston | Update Date: Apr 15, 2016 04:45 AM EDT

A Summit County resident is the latest established blow in the Zika virus' ongoing rampage in the U.S. The first confirmed case in Summit County swells the number of up to nine confirmed cases in Ohio and one of the confirmed positive cases in the U.S. Government health officials from the Ohio Department of Health gave notice to the local Summit County Public Health of the resident who was verified for the virus after travelling to a foreign country affected by the Zika virus, according to Fox 8 Cleveland.

Presently, all of the given account Zika virus cases in the U.S. have been associated with travelling to a Zika virus infested country.The case, however, was mild and the infected non-pregnant individual was not hospitalized and is now free of the symptoms of the Zika virus. 

A part of a press release from Dr. Marguerite Erme, the Medical Director of SCPH mentioned that:

 "This local case is not a threat to the public health of Summit County residents."

Health officials have pointed out that the disease is mainly spread by the bite of the yellow-fever mosquito or Aedes aegypti which can easily be recognized due to the white markings on its legs and a marking on the upper surface of the thorax.

They also advised residents of the community to be wary and always be on guard of all mosquito-borne ailments especially that the summer season brings most residents outside due to the warm weather.

The Zika virus has heightened the caution especially for pregnant women to travel to a number of countries in the South and Central America where the virus has been uncertainly associated with birth defects however travel agencies in the U.S. have not been greatly marred with cancellations and bookings, as reported by Travel Pulse.

Greg Geronemus of CEO of smarTours in New York City revealed to Travel Pulse that: "So far, we are seeing no noticeable change in travel plans, we have had very few cancellations or postponements - only five people out of thousands who plan to go in 2016."

"We are suggesting that they bring mosquito repellent so they feel safe and do not have to worry about facing a shortage when they reach their destinations" he added. 

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