Zika Virus presented a widespread scare in 2016 for many reasons. However, once the weather began to change, and fall and winter arrived it was as if Zika Virus had died, and we had nothing left to worry about. This is far from the truth. Zika Virus still remains a threat and is predicted to be worse through the 2017 warmer seasons. In an article in the Pest Management control magazine titled “The Future Looks Bright”, written by editor Heather Gooch, as of February 2017 more than 42,000 cases of Zika virus have been lab confirmed in the United States and its’ territories. The virus can be spread from pregnant mother to fetus. Zika virus can cause a variety of birth defects, one of them being microcephaly. The Center for Disease control reported more than 4,600 pregnant women have lab evidence of the Zika virus infection. The threat of infection is still real. There are no vaccines to protect or prevent a Zika virus infection. The only option is preventative measures such as mosquito control.

Zika virus is carried by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. This species of mosquito has been found all across the southern states from California to Florida, all along the east coast up to Connecticut, and heading west through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri and Kansas. The territories of Puerto Rico and also other tropical places have been where the abundance of Zika infected mosquitoes have been identified, but the United States is not free of danger. These mosquitoes bite both during day and night.

Zika virus can be sexually transmitted. It is very important for pregnant women to avoid Zika. If you have been exposed to the virus it is important not to get pregnant for at least 6 months because birth defects caused by zika are still a danger at this point. Only one case of Zika death has been reported. Typically, the virus does not cause people to become sick enough to go to the hospital but symptoms do last about a week.

Symptoms of Zika Virus:

Fever, Headache, Rash, Joint Pain, Muscle Pain, and Red Eyes.

Preventative Measures:

• Use insect repellent containing specific chemicals such as deet, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, picaridin, and IR3535. Use these repellents according to manufacturer’s directions.
• Wear protective clothing. Treat clothing with permethrin.
• Use mosquito nets.
• Contact a mosquito control professional, and have your yard sprayed with top grade chemicals once a month.

June is the month when mosquito season kicks into high gear here in New Jersey. This is the time to start heavy on the mosquito control. It is best to start in early to mid-spring. So, if you haven’t started your yard treatments now is the time. Give us a call at Balance of Nature Inc. to treat your yard and for all your other pest management needs, 609-294-1729. We use top grade chemicals and equipment. We service most of New Jersey Including Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean Counties.