Mosquito-Borne Diseases & Viruses
Mosquito bites are more than just a nuisance. Mosquitoes can carry viruses that can cause diseases and illnesses in people who are bit. In some cases, these viruses can cause serious complications, hospitalizations and even death.
Fresno County Mosquito Control Districts are dedicated to reducing the risk of mosquito-borne viruses. The primary mosquito responsible for the transmission of Zika virus, Aedes aegypti, can be found in many parts of Fresno County and continues to expand every year.
What is Zika?
Zika is a virus that’s spread to people through bites from an infected mosquito. Zika symptoms are usually mild and include fever, rash, headaches, red eyes and muscle pain. Pregnant women are at a higher risk of complications from Zika, because the Zika virus can cause birth defects for women who are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant.
How do you get Zika?
People can get the Zika virus by just one mosquito bite from an infected mosquito. The Zika virus can also be spread from a pregnant woman to her fetus, and through sex with a male partner who is infected with Zika. While there have been no detections of Zika virus in mosquitoes in Fresno County, where a traveller with an active infection of Zika virus returns to an area where Aedes aegypti is present, there is a risk of these local mosquitoes becoming infected and transmitting the virus on to other people.
How can you prevent Zika?
No Zika vaccine exists and there is no Zika cure or medication, so mosquito prevention is key. Use insect repellent to avoid bites, and use condoms to prevent the spread of Zika between partners. Women who are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant should avoid travel to areas where Zika virus is active.