2023-04-26 13:11:17
The Zika virus is widespread in tropical countries: in which areas the risk of transmission is high and what travelers should consider.
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Infection usually proceeds without symptoms
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Pregnant women should avoid traveling to Zika areas
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Mosquito repellent during the day is important
The Zika virus is found primarily in the tropics and subtropics. An infection is particularly dangerous for pregnant women because it can lead to malformations in the unborn child. Since there is no vaccine, preventive measures very important.
Mosquitoes and humans can transmit the Zika virus
The Zika virus belongs to the so-called flaviviruses. These are similar to the pathogens that cause dengue and yellow fever. The main carriers of the Zika virus are yellow fever mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti) and the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus). Mosquitoes of the genus Aedes are mainly distributed in the (sub)tropics and active. In order to transmit the virus to another person, the mosquitoes must have previously bitten an already infected person. From this, the insect is infected with the Zika virus and can then transmit the pathogen to other people during the next blood meal.
In addition, there is other transmission routes: The virus can be found in semen and other body fluids for a long time after infection. Through unprotected Sexual intercourse can therefore also infect one another. At infected pregnant women in turn, the Zika virus can pass to the unborn child via the placenta. It is also possible to be infected through blood transfusions. This happens very rarely, however, since blood products are usually strictly controlled.
Zika virus: Infections are often asymptomatic
A majority of Zika virus infections do not result in serious illnesses in children or adults. The course of the disease is often mild and without symptoms. It rarely comes up 2 to 14 days to the following typical symptoms:
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light fever
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red rash
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conjunctivitis
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headache and body aches
The symptoms usually subside after two to seven days without any consequences. But sometimes it happens complications. Risk groups include people with diseases of the immune system or serious chronic diseases, as well as pregnant women. This is one of the possible complications Guillain–Barré–Syndrome. This is one neurological Disease that causes paralysis all over the body. However, these usually disappear completely after a few weeks. In infected pregnant women, it can malformations in the unborn child such as a particularly small head (microcephaly) with mental impairment. There is also a risk of further developmental disorders such as congenital stiffening of joints or changes in the retina.
How long are infected people contagious?
It is not yet clear how long infected people are actually contagious. The Zika virus is mainly found in semen several weeks or months verifiable. The longest documented period between infection and sexual transmission from man to woman was 44 days.
Zika virus: distribution and risk areas
The Zika virus is coming into the tropics and the one there neighboring countries before. The risk of becoming infected is high for travelers, especially in areas where there are larger outbreaks gives. Between 2015 and 2017 there was a Zika virus epidemic in Milk– and Central America as well as in the Caribbean. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is a Risk for Zika virus infection in the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Central America, North America, the Pacific Islands and South America. 2019 was also in South France cases of Zika virus infection.
The following countries are considered Zika Virus Risk Areas (Quelle: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention):
Africa: Angola, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde Islands, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda
Asia: Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
Caribbean: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Saba, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint-Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, Virgin Islands
North America: Mexico, USA
Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama
South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela
Pacific: American Samoa, Cook Islands, Easter Island, Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu
Europa: France
Generally, all travelers should before a stay get advice in the tropics (e.g. in an on tropical medicine specialized practice). For example, this gives an overview of travel medicine advice centers Robert Koch Institute*. These can also provide information about the current situation give on site.
Protection against mosquito bites and safer sex prevent infections
So far there is no vaccination against the Zika virus. It is therefore particularly important to avoid mosquito bites – especially in areas with an increased risk of infection. The Zika mosquito is during the day and also at dusk active. an effective one mosquito repellent is therefore necessary at any time of the day or night. The following measures help:
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suitable mosquito repellent for unprotected areas of skin, e.g. with the active ingredients DEET or Icaridin. Important: for sufficient protection Application Notes observe!
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Clothing with long sleeves and long Pants carry
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Particular mosquito repellent you can too on the clothes spray on (e.g. permethrin)
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On Insect screen in front of the windows as well mosquito nets watch out over the bed
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Bedrooms with air conditioning prefer: Cold temperatures do not like mosquitoes
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The mosquitoes that transmit the pathogen breed in standing water, including in rain barrels or watering cans: Empty water regularly and clean vessels or Attach covers!
To minimize the risk of transmission through sexual intercourse, travelers should only have protected sex on site.
Zika virus and existing pregnancy
General recommendations for pregnant women are:
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On avoidable travel to Zika areas best to do without. The following applies to unavoidable trips: on consistent Pay attention to mosquito repellent on site, only have sex with a condom.
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If the pregnant woman’s sexual partners return from a Zika virus area, during intercourse until the end of the pregnancy use condoms Or abstain from sex altogether.
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Does the suspected infection with the Zika virus, is a corresponding one monitoring important during pregnancy.
The Robert Koch Institute recommends the following for couples planning a pregnancy preventive measures:
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After returning from a Zika area, women should be at least two months and men at least three months no unprotected have sex to avoid pregnancy.
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Couples without symptoms can return from the 28th day after travel get testedwhether they are infected.
What travel returnees have to consider
Individuals returning from an affected Zika area can contract the Zika virus pass on unnoticed. To avoid the risk of transmission, the same rules apply as for a planned pregnancy: women should not have unprotected sex for at least two months and men for at least three months. In addition, these people are not allowed to donate blood for at least four weeks. It is also important to continue protect against mosquito bites for about three weeks: This prevents the Zika virus from infecting domestic mosquitoes.
Important: international health insurance
A trip abroad should only be with one private international health insurance be undertaken. The statutory health insurance (GKV) in Germany may only reimburse costs incurred abroad according to the German scale of fees. For example, the costs for a patient return transport are not covered.
Notice: This information has been carefully researched, but does not replace the
Advice from a doctor. All statements without guarantee.
*By clicking on the link, you will be forwarded to an external website for which the respective website operator is responsible.
Author: Kathrin Rothfischer
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