West Liberty University’s Student Health Center is monitoring updates from state and national agencies in regards to Zika virus. Students traveling to South Florida (Miami-Dade County), Central and South America and the Caribbean risk the possibility of mosquito borne viral infections. The CDC advises travelers take precautionary steps to avoid mosquito bites when traveling to countries where Zika virus or other viruses spread by mosquitoes are found. Travel guidance has been issued by the CDC for pregnant travelers to areas affected by Zika virus.
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/alert/zika-virus-caribbean
Steps to Prevent Mosquito Bites
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
- Stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.
- Sleep under a mosquito bed net if you are overseas or outside and are not able to protect yourself from mosquito bites.
- Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breast-feeding women.
- Always follow the product label instructions.
- Reapply insect repellent as directed.
- Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing.
- If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen before applying insect repellent.
- If you have a baby or child:
- Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months of age.
- Dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs, or
- Cover crib, stroller, and baby carrier with mosquito netting.
- Do not apply insect repellent onto a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, and cut or irritated skin.
- Adults: Spray insect repellent onto your hands and then apply to a child’s face.
- Treat clothing and gear with permethrin or purchase permethrin-treated items.
- Treated clothing remains protective after multiple washings. See product information to learn how long the protection will last.
- If treating items yourself, follow the product instructions carefully.
- Do NOT use permethrin products directly on skin. They are intended to treat clothing.
More information can be obtained in the links below:
https://dhhr.wv.gov/oeps/disease/zoonosis/mosquito/pages/zika.aspx
https://who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/zika/en/