First discovered in 1947, Zika virus was named for the Zika forest in Uganda. It is spread through the bite of a specific mosquito, the Aedes species. It wasn’t until 1952 that the first human cases were documented.

By 2007, there had only been about 14 reported cases of the Zika virus and they had been in Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. Although there could have been more than these cases, it is reported that the first human case in Brazil was documented in February 2016. With more and more cases being documented it’s important to know what to look for in terms of symptoms and precautions.

The symptoms often look like other illnesses so it can be difficult to diagnose. Because the symptoms are typically not severe enough to go to the doctor or hospital, people often do not even know they have been infected. The symptoms of the Zika virus are fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes. If you’ve visited an area where Zika is prevalent and have any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. Also, contact your doctor if you are pregnant and have any of these symptoms and have traveled to any of the aforementioned places. The incubation period is unknown but is most likely a few days to a week. You won’t know you have been infected right away so monitor yourself for symptoms.

Protect yourself from Zika by wearing insect repellant, sleeping under a mosquito net if visiting an affected area, and wearing long-sleeves and pants. While there haven’t been any cases of Zika in the U.S., it is important to protect your family and yard from pesky mosquitoes. Contact us at Foundation Pest Control for a consultation with one of our experts and let us help you have a pest-free yard to enjoy year round.