Public health agencies, including the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Alexandria Health Department (AHD), continue to monitor alerts issued by the CDC regarding Zika virus. Zika virus is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. Most people infected with Zika do not develop symptoms or severe illness; however, severe birth defects can result if women are infected with Zika during pregnancy. With the ongoing outbreak abroad and high levels of international travel, the number of Zika virus disease cases detected in the United States will likely increase, but it is unlikely that we will see widespread local transmission of Zika throughout the US.
The following links provide information on basic facts, control and prevention of the disease.