Zika

How do you get the Zika virus?

By being bitten by infected mosquitoes that carry the virus. The disease can also be caught through sex with an infected partner

Which countries are affected by the Zika virus?
Many countries in the Pacific region, South and Central America, the Caribbean, Africa, and parts of south and southeast Asia (see map)

Symptoms 

Symptoms appear between 3-14 days and are generally mild.They can last 2-7 days and include fever, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle pain, joint pain, feeling of being generally unwell, and headache

Serious symptoms

Some babies born to women who become infected have severely abnormal brain development. Possible links with a range of other complications are being investigated

​

Prevention

• Visit your nearest convenient pharmacy or specialist travel health clinic for a risk assessment before your trip

• Take steps to avoid mosquito bites when mosquitoes are most active (during daylight hours, mainly early morning and late afternoon/evening)

• If pregnant or intending to become pregnant, women should take extra care to avoid being bitten, and try to avoid becoming pregnant while travelling

• Use a recommended insect repellent containing either 20% Picaridin (e.g Moskito Guard®), DEET, PMD or OLE, IR3535 or 2-undecanone

• Wear appropriate clothing (e.g loose-fitting long-sleeved clothes, long trousers, socks and shoes) to minimize exposed skin

• Use mosquito nets if you are sleeping or resting in unscreened accommodation or sleeping outdoors during the day or night

• Practice safer sex (including using condoms)

​

Vaccine

There is currently no vaccine available in Canada.