State health officials are warning churches and their members preparing to go on international mission trips about the continuing risk of contracting the Zika virus.
The virus, which is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito, is usually mild with symptoms lasting up to a week. Many infected people do not have symptoms or will have only mild symptoms.
However, Zika infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly and other severe brain defects.
Heigel
“Unfortunately, many areas to which countless caring people admirably volunteer on mission assignments are encountering Zika outbreaks,” said Catherine E. Heigel, director of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. “Zika is actively spreading in several areas of the world, including countries and territories in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, the Pacific Islands and Cape Verde.
“We appreciate your commitment to mission work and know it is key to your faith. We also know you share our concern for the health of all citizens.”
No locally transmitted Zika cases have been reported in South Carolina, but cases have been reported in returning travelers, and Aedes mosquitoes can be found in the state. It also can be transmitted via sex.
The CDC recommends that pregnant women should not travel to areas where there is ongoing Zika virus transmission because of the association between Zika virus and birth defects.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains a list on its website – cdc.gov/travel – of all areas for which Zika travel notices have been issued with recommendations for travelers to these destinations.
Want to know more?
DHEC provides several publications with detailed information about the Zika virus and the threat it poses to church mission teams:
- Protecting yourself from Zika
- Protecting yourself from mosquito bites
- Pregnant: Read this before you travel
- Pregnant and worried about Zika
For more information about Zika, go to scdhec.gov/zika.
