Missouri health officials talk about Zika virus prevention

Three cases of Zika virus have been confirmed in Missouri after two men and a woman returned from travels abroad.

Now state health officials are hoping to educate Missourians on the risks of the virus and how they can prevent it.

The Zika virus isn’t deadly and unless you’re pregnant, the symptoms are mild and short lived, said Peter Lyskowski, acting director for the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services.

“Zika itself for humans is not as bad as some of the other things people can get,” he said. “You’re talking about mild to flu-like symptoms for two to seven days and that’s it.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said once someone get the Zika virus once, it’s unlikely they’ll contract it again.

Doctors warn the disease can be contracted through mosquito and tick bites, although so far there have been no cases from local bugs in the United States.

But health officials said that doesn’t mean it’ll remain an imported virus.

“Whether it’s Zika or any of the other diseases that mosquitoes can carry we just want to make sure that we’re doing all we can to arm Missourians with the info they need so that when they go out to enjoy the wonderful outdoor activities we can do in our state, that they’re protecting themselves,” said Lyskowski.

Doctors said the Zika virus can also be transferred through sexual contact and from a mother to her unborn child, which could lead to birth defects.

Right now, doctors are working to confirm the link between Zika and the birth defect microcephaly.

But there are still unanswered questions related to the virus.

“The problem then is if you get the virus and become pregnant we don’t know how long for sure it stays in the blood or semen,”said Lyskowski. “Until the health community knows more about it, people are cautious.”

Lyskowski said state health officials are educating doctors and just recently, the CDC designated the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory as a Zika virus testing lab.

“We now have the capability of testing individuals here in Jeff City and getting much quicker results to their doctors,” he said.

Lyskowski said he expects to see more cases in Missouri, but it’s not a cause for alarm.

“We want people to be aware of but not afraid of (the virus),” he said. “We’re not telling people to stay indoors and draw the shades. We want people to get outside and exercise. Go hunting, go fishing, do all the things that we enjoy doing in Missouri.”

There are many things Missourians can do to protect themselves, but Lyskowski recommends avoiding travel to affected areas and protecting people from mosquito or bug bites by wearing long pants and sleeves or EPA-registered insect repellent with DEET. Then check for bites after being outside.