What Canadians need to know after Zika virus is transmitted by Florida mosquitoes

By The Canadian Press

As Florida has its first reported case of Zika virus transmitted by mosquitoes on the U.S. mainland, here’s what Canadians need to know:

What is Zika virus?

It’s a mosquito-borne illness that has spread to epidemic levels in parts of the southern hemisphere. The virus causes birth defects like infant microcephaly and other severe brain anomalies. While it’s generally transmitted by mosquitoes, sexually transmitted cases have been reported.

Where is it?

Zika virus has been reported in Africa and parts of Asia since the 1950s, and in the southwestern Pacific Ocean since 2007. Cases of Zika were first detected in South America in early 2015. It has since reached epidemic levels throughout South and Central America, southern Mexico and the Caribbean. More than 1,650 Zika infections have been reported in the U.S., but the four patients in Florida would be the first not linked to travel outside the U.S. mainland.

Could it come to Canada?

There are currently 168 travel-related cases of Zika virus in Canada, and one sexually transmitted case. But the mosquitoes that carry the virus — called the yellow fever mosquito — are “not established” in Canada, and wouldn’t be suited to our climate, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. The agency considers the risk of a Zika outbreak in Canada to be low.

How can Canadians protect themselves?

The Public Health Agency of Canada also says that in addition to being sexually transmitted, Zika can also spread via contaminated blood. The agency warns that Canadians travelling to regions where Zika is prevalent should protect themselves against mosquito bites by using insect repellant, wearing protective clothing and using mosquito nets, and to use condoms if engaging in sexual activity with people who may have been exposed.

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