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Consider Zika virus risks before travel 

SLO County Public Health Department issues Zika virus warning

As spring break approaches, residents should be aware of Zika risks before leaving the country.

The San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department continues to closely monitor the rapidly evolving Zika virus situation and recommends residents be aware of risks associated with travel to areas with Zika virus transmission and what precautions they should take.Zika-Virus-warning

Zika virus is transmitted to humans primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. The Aedes mosquito has not been detected in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara or Monterey Counties, although it is present in 12 other California counties, including Kern County.

Currently, there are no reported cases of local mosquito-borne Zika virus cases in US states, but there are there are numerous travel-associated cases. Local mosquito-borne Zika virus cases have been reported in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and America Samoa. Outbreaks are occurring in many countries, including Mexico, and the public should refer to the CDC’s current list of travel advisories at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/ before traveling outside the United States.

Pregnant women or women who are trying to become pregnant should consult with their health care provider before traveling to areas with Zika virus transmission.

The best way to prevent diseases spread by mosquitoes is to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites and to eliminate sources of standing water. Information about how to prevent mosquito bites is available on the CDC’s Zika page at http://www.cdc.gov/zika/prevention/index.html.

The CDC has recently reported it is currently investigating additional reports of possible sexual transmission of the virus, including several events involving possible transmission to pregnant women. These reports suggest sexual transmission may be a more likely means of transmission for Zika virus than previously considered.

At this time, there is no evidence that women can transmit Zika virus to their sex partners. Only people whose male sex partners have traveled to or live in an area with Zika transmission need to be concerned about getting Zika from sex. Based on what we know today, traveling to or living in areas without Zika transmission does not pose a risk of getting infected with Zika. Those concerned for any reason, should use a condom with sex.

More information about Zika is available on our web page at www.SLOpublichealth.org, under Zika virus.

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The news staff of the Paso Robles Daily News wrote or edited this story from local contributors and press releases. The news staff can be reached at info@pasoroblesdailynews.com.