Zika Virus | Galveston County Health District

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What is Zika?

Zika virus is primarily spread through the bite of an infected aedes species mosquito. While it can cause fever, rash, joint pain and red or pink eyes, about 80 percent of people infected with Zika do not become ill or have symptoms. Zika can also be spread through blood transfusions and sexual contact.

Should I worry?

Although there is currently no evidence local mosquitoes are infected with Zika, Texas has a long mosquito season and many people travel to places where Zika is active. This means the possibility exists for travelers to come into contact with Zika and potentially spread it to their loved ones here.

Zika virus can be spread from mother to child if the mother is infected with Zika during pregnancy. Zika virus has been linked to birth defects such as microcephaly, a condition where a baby’s head is much smaller than expected and can cause developmental delays.

How do I protect myself, my family and my community?

Defend
1. Apply EPA-approved insect repellent.
2. Use screens or close windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
Dress
1. Wear pants and long-sleeve shirts (especially at dawn and dusk).
Drain
1. Remove standing water around your home.
2. Cover trash cans or containers where water can collect.

What do I do if I'm pregnant?

Talk to your doctor about protecting your pregnancy.
Avoid travel to regions where the Zika virus is active.
Apply an EPA-approved insect repellent.
Wear pants and long-sleeve shirts (especially at dawn and dusk).
Use screens or close windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
Remove standing water around your home.
Cover trash cans or containers where water can collect.
Consider abstaining from sex or use condoms correctly.

What do I do if I'm traveling to a Zika zone?

Use EPA-approved insect repellent during your entire trip.
Wear pants and long-sleeve shirts.
Use screens or close windows and doors at hotel rooms or places you’re staying.
Take precautions against sexual transmission. Consider abstaining from sex or use condoms correctly.
Use EPA-approved insect repellent for 21 days after you return to the United States.
Take precautions against sexual transmission for at least eight weeks. Consider abstaining from sex or use condoms correctly.

Please see our frequently asked questions section for answers to more questions.

For more information, visit CDC Zika and Texas Zika.

Healthcare Providers

Zika virus disease is a nationally notifiable condition. Healthcare providers should report suspected Zika virus disease cases to the Galveston County Health District to facilitate diagnosis and mitigate risk of local transmission.

DSHS Zika Eligibility Criteria

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FAQs

What is Zika?

Zika virus disease is caused by the Zika virus, which is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting up to a week, and many people do not have symptoms or will have only mild symptoms. However, Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly and other severe brain defects.
What are the symptoms of Zika virus disease?

The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes. Other symptoms include muscle pain and headache. Many people infected with Zika won’t have symptoms or will have mild symptoms, which can last for several days to a week.
How do people get infected with Zika?

Zika is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus). A pregnant woman can pass Zika to her fetus during pregnancy or around the time of birth. Also, a person with Zika can pass it to his or her sex partners. We encourage people who have traveled to or live in places with Zika to protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites and sexual transmission of Zika.
What health problems can result from getting Zika?

Many people infected with Zika will have no symptoms or mild symptoms that last several days to a week. However, Zika infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects. Current research suggests that Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), an uncommon sickness of the nervous system, is strongly associated with Zika; however, only a small proportion of people with recent Zika virus infection get GBS.

Once someone has been infected with Zika, it’s very likely they’ll be protected from future infections. There is no evidence that past Zika infection poses an increased risk of birth defects in future pregnancies.
What can people do to prevent Zika?
The best way to prevent Zika is to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites:
- Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants
- Sleep under a mosquito bed net if air conditioned or screened rooms are not available or if sleeping outdoors.
Zika can be spread by a person infected with Zika to his or her sex partners. People whose partners have traveled to or live in an area with Zika can prevent Zika by using condoms (or other barriers that protect against infection) every time they have sex or by not having sex.
How is Zika diagnosed?

To diagnose Zika, your doctor will ask you about recent travel and symptoms you may have, and collect blood or urine to test for Zika or similar viruses.