RANKIN COUNTY, Miss.- The Mississippi Department of Health has reported another case of Zika Virus in the Magnolia state.
A resident from Rankin County has contracted the virus after traveling to Guatemala.
Zika is a mosquito-borne virus. The symptoms for many are mild causing only slight fever, joint pain, conjunctivitis or rashes. It can last for several days to a week. Only about 80 percent of those infected have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all and death is very rare.
If contracted while pregnant the virus can cause serious defects like brain damage, hearing loss, vision loss, and impaired growth.
State Epidemiologist Dr. Thomas Dobbs has urged people, especially pregnant women, not to travel to countries with active Zika transmission. Those countries include, parts of Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific islands.
The MSDH suggests the following precautions to protect yourself and your environment from mosquito-borne illnesses:
- Use an EPA-registered mosquito repellent that contains DEET while you are outdoors.
- Remove all sources of standing water around your home and yard to prevent mosquito breeding.
- Wear loose, light-colored, long clothing to cover the arms and legs when outdoors.
- Avoid areas where mosquitoes are prevalent.
