As spring break approaches and with the possibility that college students may travel to Zika-virus affected areas, Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. James Tomarken has asked college officials in Suffolk County to notify students, both men and women, that they may be at risk of being infected and infecting others with the Zika virus.
In a letter sent today, Dr. Tomarken cautioned that Zika virus may be transmitted not only by infected Aedes species mosquitoes but also by a male to his sex partners.
“At this time, we don’t know how long Zika is present in semen in men who have traveled and contracted Zika, but it appears to be longer than in blood and urine,” said Dr. Tomarken. “Therefore an abundance of caution should be taken by both men and women of child-bearing age to avoid being infected with Zika virus and spreading the infection to others.”
Accumulating evidence links maternal Zika virus infection with congenital microcephaly, miscarriages, and other adverse fetal outcomes. In addition, there are reports of a possible association with Guillain-Barré syndrome, an illness of the nervous system that can cause muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis.
The travel advisory to students provides information on how to prevent mosquito bites and how to avoid spreading the virus to sexual partners. The advisory is available on the Suffolk County website. http://suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/HealthServices/HealthBulletins/CDCZikaVirusAlert/TravelAlert.aspx
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