Alaska News

Zika virus and Alaska: Here's what to know

Zika virus, and its possible link to serious birth defects, has made news around the world as the virus outbreak spreads rapidly through the Americas. On Monday, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency.

In a brief interview Friday, chief of the Alaska Section of Epidemiology Joe McLaughlin discussed Zika virus and Alaska, and explained why residents have a reason to be thankful for the state's mosquitoes.

Zika virus and Alaska’s silver lining

This Zika outbreak began in May 2015, when the virus was first detected in Brazil. Zika virus itself usually causes fever, rash and joint pain. But that's not what has people worried.

The major concern is the virus' possible links to microcephaly, a birth defect where a baby's head is smaller than normal, although the connection isn't definitive. The defect causes lifelong developmental problems, ranging from mild to severe disabilities.

Twenty-three countries have reported cases of the virus as of Jan. 28. In the U.S., transmission has only been reported in Puerto Rico, according to McLaughlin. The virus is spread mainly by Aedes genus of mosquitos, specifically Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which are also responsible for spreading dengue fever and West Nile virus. A mosquito bites an infected person and then spreads the virus to other people through subsequent bites.

Here's the good news: "The Aedes mosquitos, fortunately, are not present in Alaska," McLaughlin said. "We don't expect to see local transmission of the virus in Alaska."

The first documented outbreak of Zika virus was in 2007, in Pacific Islands' Federated States of Micronesia, according to the World Health Organization. That same year, one Alaskan who had traveled to the island of Yap, east of the Philippines, was infected with the virus. The incident was "otherwise uneventful," McLaughlin said.

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No other Alaskans have yet been identified as having the virus, according to McLaughlin.

For Alaskans, concerns arise during travel, especially for pregnant women. Six Alaskans who recently returned from Zika outbreak countries have been tested for the infection. Two of the tests have come back negative, and the other four test results are still pending, according to McLaughlin.

CDC recommendations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that pregnant women consider postponing travel to areas of Zika virus outbreak. Travel health notices are updated frequently by the CDC.

If traveling through outbreak areas, follow the same routine as during Alaska summers: Wear long-sleeve clothing, use insect repellant, treat clothing with permethrin and sleep in screened rooms. Aedes mosquitoes are most active during the day.

Pregnant women who have traveled to Zika outbreak areas are recommended to be tested for the virus, as well as dengue and chikungunya virus infection. The state of Alaska doesn't have Zika testing currently, but it will help facilities collect and ship samples to the CDC, according to the state's website.

In rare cases, a mother infected with the virus can pass it on to her newborn around the time of birth, the CDC writes, and there's been documentation of the virus being spread through blood transfusions and sexual contact. There is no vaccine for Zika virus.

There's heaps of information available on the Zika virus and its possible connections to microcephaly. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services has information on its website; the CDC has a comprehensive webpage, as does the World Health Organization.

Laurel Andrews

Laurel Andrews was a reporter for the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska Dispatch News and Alaska Dispatch. She left the ADN in October 2018.

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