Global Infectious Diseases
The University monitors travel notices from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and theDepartment of State (DOS) Passports & International Travel. Visit the respective pages for up-to-date information.
As of August 2016, we are monitoring the following infectious diseases, among others:
- Zika Virus – view details from the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
What we know about Zika:
- No vaccine exists to prevent Zika
- Prevent Zika by avoiding mosquito bites
- Use insect repellent (use EPA-registered insect repellents with one of the following ingredients – DEET, Picaridin, KBR 3023, Bayrepel, icaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus [OLE], para-menthane-diol [PMD], or IR3535) and follow the product label instructions
- Protect your baby or child (cover arms and legs in clothing; cover crib, stroller, and baby carrier with mosquito netting)
- Treat clothing and gear (treat items with permethrin)
- Take steps to control mosquitoes inside and outside your home (use screens on windows and door, use A/C when available, empty and clean items that hold water)
- Mosquitoes that spread Zika virus bite mostly during the daytime
- Mosquitoes that spread Zika virus also spread dengue and chikungunya viruses
- Zika can be passed through sex from a person who has Zika to his or her sex partners; condoms (and other barriers to protect against infection) can reduce the chance of getting Zika from sex.
- Pregnant women can be infected with Zika virus; a pregnant woman can pass Zika to her fetus; Zika during pregnancy is a cause of microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects
Plan for travel: Learn what to do before, during, and after your trip to protect yourself and others.