Zika Virus has been found in the state of Tennessee.
The Zika Virus is a virus that is primarily transmitted through blood, thus making the mosquito much more than a nuisance this spring and summer.
According to the Center for Disease Control the most common symptoms are fever, red eyes, skin rash, and joint pain.
The symptoms seem to be mild and should only last for a few days, however, there have been a few cases where the virus has turned into Guillain-Barre Syndrom. According to the CDC, “Guillain-Barré syndromeis an uncommon sickness of the nervous system in which a person’s own immune system damages the nerve cells, causing muscle weakness, and sometimes, paralysis.” However, this is very rare.
The main concern seems to be for pregnant mothers. The Zika virus can spread from the mother to the unborn child and may cause Microcephaly which is a birth defect that causes the child’s head to not fully grow and could cause the brain to not develop fully or properly. There are several other symptoms that accompany this which include but aren’t limited to: seizures, vision problems, hearing loss and difficulty swallowing.
Because this is virus is so easily spread through mosquito’s it is recommended to see a physician in the event that you are experiencing any symptoms. If you are found to have the virus then we caution that you make every precaution to avoid mosquito bites, whether it be through wearing long sleeves, staying indoors, applying a bug spray or treating your yard.
For those wishing to treat their yards through a certified pest control company then we highly recommend doing so before the summer season. At the present time mosquito’s are searching for nesting areas. There are many services that are offered to help deter this pest from nesting on your property.
For more information on the Zika Virus, please visit the Center for Disease Controls website: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html
