Zika Facts

The first cases of local mosquito-borne transmission of the Zika virus have been confirmed in the United States, and the virus continues to be active in parts of Latin America and the Caribbean. Many people around The Episcopal Church in the United States are asking how it impacts our local mission and ministry.

Episcopal Relief & Development has been working with a circle of advisers to consider the threat of Zika virus in the continental United States. Composed of the organization’s US Disaster staff, Diocesan Disaster Coordinators and public health experts, the group worked together to create informational materials with tips and recommendations for Episcopal congregations and other church-related institutions.

The purpose of this page is to help demystify Zika virus and provide sample language to communicate about transmission, risks and precautions.

Main Points:

• Most people who are infected with Zika do not show symptoms
• The greatest risk from Zika is to a developing fetus
• Pregnant women and those who may become pregnant should consider avoiding Zika-endemic areas, and should practice safe sex with any sex partners who may be carrying Zika
• Except for women who are pregnant or may soon become pregnant and their sex partners, there is no need to cancel travel plans (including summer camp in the United States or mission trip plans) if mosquito bite prevention guidelines are practiced

Download Zika Information PDFs:

English         English International

Kreyol           Kreyol International

Spanish        Spanish International

French          French International 

Zika in Brief

• Most people who are infected with Zika have no symptoms; people who become sick may have a fever and a rash for 7-10 days and recover with rest and fluids.
• The greatest risk from Zika is to a developing fetus; therefore, the people who need to be most cautious are women who are pregnant or may become pregnant in the near future, and their sex partners.
• Normal mosquito bite prevention (protecting skin with clothing or repellent, installing insect screens or nets, removing standing water) will protect against Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile Virus.
• Infected people can transmit the virus through sexual contact before, during and after showing signs of illness (the length of time is still being investigated); abstinence or safe sex practices should be used to prevent transmission. There is now evidence that female-to-male sexual transmission can occur, in addition to male-to-female and male-to-male transmission previously documented.
• Like many illnesses, Zika may cause more severe complications for those with compromised immune systems, and these patients are advised to take precautions to prevent Zika and all other mosquito-borne illnesses.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Zika virus new? Where is it found?

In 1952, the first human cases of Zika virus were in Uganda and Tanzania. Today, the virus is present in many parts of the world. Outbreaks of Zika have been reported in tropical areas in Africa, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands and, more recently, parts of South America, Central America, southern North America (i.e., Mexico and South Florida) and islands in the Caribbean. The CDC maintains a map of countries with active Zika transmission.

What are the symptoms?

Roughly 80% of those infected with Zika have no symptoms. For the remainder, symptoms are generally mild and consist of fever and a rash lasting 7-10 days. Other symptoms may include rash, joint or muscle pain, conjunctivitis or headache. The CDC says that Zika infection during pregnancy can cause microcephaly and other severe brain defects, and CDC research also suggests that Guillain-Barré Syndrome is strongly associated with Zika, though only a small proportion of people with recent Zika infection get GBS.

How is Zika transmitted?

Zika is transmitted to people through the bite of infected Aedes species mosquitoes, through sexual transmission, or maternal-fetal transmission. There is now evidence that female-to-male sexual transmission can occur, in addition to male-to-female and male-to-male transmission previously documented. The CDC advises that Zika can remain in semen longer than in other body fluids, and that transmission is possible even if the infected person does not have symptoms at the time.

What precautions should I take?

Individuals traveling to Zika-endemic areas should follow standard guidelines for preventing mosquito-borne illnesses such as malaria and dengue fever – wearing insect repellent, long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and using bed nets in sleeping areas. The mosquitoes that carry Zika virus are “aggressive daytime feeders” though they do bite throughout the day and night.

Preventing Zika transmission through sexual contact involves abstaining from sexual contact or practicing safe sex. Guidelines can be found at this CDC site. Additional information about Zika transmission is available from the CDC.

But I heard in the media that this could be a MAJOR RISK in my area…

There is still a possibility that we will see isolated outbreaks of Zika in the continental US, but likely not epidemics. Florida is experiencing localized mosquito-based transmission and parts of Texas and Hawaii are also at higher risk, based on prior experience with similar viruses such as Chikungunya and Dengue. Puerto Rico and other US territories in the Caribbean are active Zika transmission areas as well. Local governments are taking action through awareness campaigns, clearing standing water, applying pesticides and participating in mosquito tracking.

Because of the presence of other mosquito-borne illnesses in the United States, such as West Nile, mosquito bite prevention (protecting skin with clothing and/or repellent, installing screens and removing standing water) is important and should be practiced in high-risk areas.

Which ministries should be particularly aware of this disease risk?

Ministries that work with farmworkers and other immigrant communities who may travel to and from Zika endemic areas, as well as ministries that work with homeless populations, should help spread accurate information about prevention and, if possible, increase access to mosquito protection and condoms. If you are interested in organizing Zika health messaging and activities with these ministries in your diocese in the US, please contact Katie Mears (kmears@episcopalrelief.org), who is coordinating response activities.

Helpful Links from the CDC

General Information: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html

Zika Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/prevention/index.html

For Travelers:

http://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/pdfs/fs_mosquito_bite_prevention_travelers.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/zika/pdfs/fs_mosquito_bite_prevention_travelers_spanish.pdf

Mosquito Control Tips:

http://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/pdfs/control_mosquitoes_chikv_denv_zika.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/pdfs/control_mosquitoes_chikv_denv_zika_spanish.pdf