Don't Give Zika a Biting Chance
What is Zika?
Zika is a virus that spreads through the bite of certain types of mosquitoes. If infected while pregnant, a mother can pass Zika to her unborn child. Zika infection during pregnancy can cause birth defects and developmental delays. Zika virus can also be passed through sex and blood transfusions.
While it can cause fever, rash, joint pain, and red or pink eyes, about 80 percent of people with Zika do not have any symptoms. Currently, there is no vaccine or specific treatment for Zika. Your best protection is to avoid infection. Prevent mosquito breeding, protect yourself from mosquito bites, and practice safe sex.
What Can I Do to Prevent Zika?
Take these simple steps to protect yourself and your loved ones from the Zika virus:
Apply EPA-approved insect repellent.
Find the right repellent for you
Remove standing water in cans, bottles, buckets, tires, wheel barrows or any container that can hold water.
Wear clothing that covers hands, arms, legs, and exposed skin. This can include hats with mosquito netting and socks to cover your ankles.
If you or your sexual partner may have been exposed to Zika, prevent the spread of the virus through sex by using condoms or abstaining, especially during pregnancy.
Am I at Risk?
Living in or traveling to areas where Zika is active can increase your risk. Most people infected with Zika have mild or no symptoms but can still spread it to others. A pregnant woman with Zika can pass it to her unborn child. Zika infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects. Zika can also spread through sex with an infected person.
Protect yourself and others—learn how you can help prevent the spread of Zika.
Should I Worry?
Most of Texas has a long mosquito season, and the mosquitoes that transmit Zika can be found throughout the state. Also, many Texans travel to places where Zika is being spread. This increases the risk of Texas mosquitoes picking up the virus and spreading it in Texas communities .
Zika infection during pregnancy can cause certain birth defects and developmental delays. Most people infected with Zika have mild or no symptoms. Although rare, Zika virus may also cause Guillain-Barré syndrome.
If you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant, talk to your doctor about any possible exposure to Zika that you or your sex partner may have had. Pregnant women living in Texas—particularly along the Texas-Mexico border—should be especially cautious to protect against mosquito bites and sexual transmission of Zika.
Check out the numbers of Zika cases in Texas below.
Reported Cases
DSHS provides updates every Tuesday on the number of Zika virus disease cases in Texas.