The spread of Zika virus has been concerning,
The spread of Zika virus has been concerning,

and scary for some, especially pregnant women.
and scary for some, especially pregnant women.

At CDC, we're working around the clock to protect your health
At CDC, we're working around the clock to protect your health

and learn more about Zika.
and learn more about Zika.

Since Zika was first reported in Brazil in May 2015,
Since Zika was first reported in Brazil in May 2015,

it has spread across many countries and territories
it has spread across many countries and territories

in the Western Hemisphere,
in the Western Hemisphere,

including in small areas of Florida and Texas.
including in small areas of Florida and Texas.

Zika mainly spreads to people through the bite
Zika mainly spreads to people through the bite

of an infected Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquito.
of an infected Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquito.

The mosquitoes that spread Zika can be found in many areas
The mosquitoes that spread Zika can be found in many areas

of the continental United States,
of the continental United States,

primarily in the Southeast and Gulf Coast regions.
primarily in the Southeast and Gulf Coast regions.

These mosquitoes live indoors and outdoors,
These mosquitoes live indoors and outdoors,

and typically lay eggs near standing water,
and typically lay eggs near standing water,

in things like buckets or flower pots.
in things like buckets or flower pots.

Mosquitoes become infected
Mosquitoes become infected

when they bite a person already infected with the virus.
when they bite a person already infected with the virus.

Infected mosquitoes then spread the virus
Infected mosquitoes then spread the virus

when they bite other people.
when they bite other people.

Most people infected with Zika virus won't get sick.
Most people infected with Zika virus won't get sick.

For those who do have symptoms,
For those who do have symptoms,

Zika usually causes mild illness.
Zika usually causes mild illness.

Symptoms include: fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes
Symptoms include: fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes

and typically last a few days to a week.
and typically last a few days to a week.

However, the virus can linger in semen for months and a person
However, the virus can linger in semen for months and a person

with Zika can pass the virus to his or her partner through sex.
with Zika can pass the virus to his or her partner through sex.

A pregnant woman can also pass the virus
A pregnant woman can also pass the virus

to her fetus during pregnancy or around the time of birth.
to her fetus during pregnancy or around the time of birth.

If that happens, the results can be devastating.
If that happens, the results can be devastating.

Zika can cause severe fetal brain defects,
Zika can cause severe fetal brain defects,

including microcephaly, a condition that is a sign
including microcephaly, a condition that is a sign

of incomplete brain development.
of incomplete brain development.

There's a lot we still don't know about the effects
There's a lot we still don't know about the effects

of Zika on pregnancies.
of Zika on pregnancies.

Some evidence suggests infants exposed
Some evidence suggests infants exposed

to Zika during pregnancy , who appear healthy at birth ,
to Zika during pregnancy , who appear healthy at birth ,

could develop health problems later in life.
could develop health problems later in life.

But the range of possible health problems is still unknown.
But the range of possible health problems is still unknown.

This is why protecting pregnant women is our top priority.
This is why protecting pregnant women is our top priority.

The best way to avoid getting Zika is to protect yourself
The best way to avoid getting Zika is to protect yourself

from mosquito bites. Wear long-sleeved shirts
from mosquito bites. Wear long-sleeved shirts

and long pants.
and long pants.

Stay and sleep in places with air conditioning
Stay and sleep in places with air conditioning

or that have screened windows and doors
or that have screened windows and doors

that keep mosquitoes outside.
that keep mosquitoes outside.

Use EPA-registered insect repellents with DEET, picaridin,
Use EPA-registered insect repellents with DEET, picaridin,

IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus,
IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus,

para menthane diol, or 2 undecanone.
para menthane diol, or 2 undecanone.

These repellents are safe for pregnant
These repellents are safe for pregnant

and breastfeeding women.
and breastfeeding women.

Wear clothing and gear with permethrin
Wear clothing and gear with permethrin

or buy permethrin treated items.
or buy permethrin treated items.

Once a week, remove standing water from inside
Once a week, remove standing water from inside

and outside your home.
and outside your home.

At this time, there is no vaccine or treatment for Zika.
At this time, there is no vaccine or treatment for Zika.

CDC is working on improving ways to test for Zika,
CDC is working on improving ways to test for Zika,

and is helping local areas
and is helping local areas

and states control mosquito populations.
and states control mosquito populations.

Pregnant women should not travel to areas with Zika.
Pregnant women should not travel to areas with Zika.

If you're pregnant and your partner lives in or traveled
If you're pregnant and your partner lives in or traveled

to an area with Zika, use a condom
to an area with Zika, use a condom

or don't have sex during the pregnancy.
or don't have sex during the pregnancy.

All pregnant women should be assessed
All pregnant women should be assessed

for possible Zika virus exposure
for possible Zika virus exposure

and symptoms during each prenatal visit.
and symptoms during each prenatal visit.

The best way to prevent spreading Zika is
The best way to prevent spreading Zika is

to prevent mosquitoes at home from getting infected,
to prevent mosquitoes at home from getting infected,

who can then spread Zika to other people.
who can then spread Zika to other people.

So travelers returning to the US from an area with Zika,
So travelers returning to the US from an area with Zika,

even if they don't feel sick, should take steps
even if they don't feel sick, should take steps

to prevent mosquito bites for 3 weeks after their return.
to prevent mosquito bites for 3 weeks after their return.

They should also use condoms or not have sex
They should also use condoms or not have sex

to protect their partners.
to protect their partners.

We are learning more about Zika every day.
We are learning more about Zika every day.

For the latest information,
For the latest information,

visit the CDC website at CDC dot gov.
visit the CDC website at CDC dot gov.