MED-Zika Mosquito-5 Things

The Department of Health today announced that Pennsylvania has reported its first case of Zika virus infection by sexual transmission. The Pennsylvania resident contracted the virus from a mosquito while traveling outside of the state. This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention photo shows a female Aedes aegypti mosquito in the process of acquiring a blood meal from a human host. The Aedes aegypti mosquito is behind the large outbreaks of Zika virus in Latin America and the Caribbean.

(James Gathany/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention via AP, File)

The Department of Health today announced that Pennsylvania has reported its first case of Zika virus infection by sexual transmission.

The infected Pennsylvania resident contracted the Zika virus from a mosquito while traveling outside of the state in an area impacted by a Zika outbreak, said Secretary Karen Murphy. Once back in the state, the infected person passed on the virus to another person via sexual transmission.

"In light of this, we remind residents to practice safe sex, especially if they have traveled to an area with Zika-infected mosquitoes," Murphy said. "Infections with the Zika virus may be present without symptoms. If you have traveled to an area where Zika virus is present, condoms or other barrier protection methods should be used during sex for eight weeks upon return to prevent sexual transmission. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should discuss with their doctors any travel plans to Zika-affected locations."

Jaqueline Vieira, left, watches as her 3-month-old son Daniel, who was born with microcephaly, as he undergoes physical therapy at the Altino Ventura foundation in Recife, Brazil. Officials have linked the sharp increase in cases of microcephaly in Brazil to the Zika virus, which first appeared in the country last year. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this month warned pregnant women to reconsider visits to areas where Zika is present. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Zika has been linked to thousands of babies being born with underdeveloped brains.

The mosquito-borne virus can cause mild symptoms including fever, rash, joint pain, and pink eye, and rarely kills or causes serious disease.

However, the virus presents a major threat to pregnant women or women who plan to become pregnant. Zika infection during pregnancy has been linked to serious birth defects including microcephaly, which causes newborns to be born with heads smaller than normal.

Zika, which is now known to be spread by sexual intercourse, remains in the blood for about a week, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

To prevent mosquito bites:

Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent to exposed skin and clothing;

Wear light-colored, lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that covers hands, arms, legs and other exposed skin;

Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms or under a mosquito net when outdoors; and

Stay indoors when mosquitoes are most active.

State officials said Pennsylvania has had no cases of Zika as a result of local mosquito transmission. Officials warn, however, that a risk of limited local transmission of Zika virus by an affected mosquito is not improbable given the high temperatures forecast for the commonwealth during the coming weeks.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito is the primary carrier of the Zika virus; however, the Aedes albopictus can also carry the disease. The Department of Environmental Protection has not found Aedes aegypti in Pennsylvania since 2002. The department has found Aedes albopictus throughout major metropolitan areas of southern Pennsylvania.

The Aedes types of mosquitoes bite during the daytime. To control all mosquitoes outside your home or business:

Install or repair and use window and door screens.

Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out any items that hold standing water where mosquitoes may lay eggs, like buckets, toys, pools, birdbaths or trash containers.

Use an outdoor flying insect spray in dark, humid areas where mosquitoes rest, like under patio furniture or under the carport or garage.

Have clogged roof gutters cleaned every year, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug up the drains.

If you have a septic tank, repair cracks or gaps. Cover open vent or plumbing pipes with wire mesh that consists of holes smaller than an adult mosquito.

Additional information on Zika virus can be found on the Department of Health's website, www.zika.pa.gov.