A disease that’s quickly spread to more than 20 countries in Central and South America is grabbing a lot of headlines this week, but a top state health official says Iowans are at a very low risk. The Zika virus is spread by mosquitoes. Dr. Patty Quinlisk, medical director of the Iowa Department of Public Health, says projections say Zika may infect four-million people over the next year…
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The disease is linked to an increase in birth defects in Brazil. Common symptoms of Zika virus include: fever, rash, joint pain and red, itchy eyes. Quinlisk says it’s believed only a certain type of mosquito is responsible for spreading the virus and the insect has been in Iowa before, but not often…
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A person can only catch the virus from a mosquito. It isn’t spread from person to person. The C-D-C has issued a travel alert for 21 nations due to Zika.