National Zika Virus Pest Alert Released

Distinctive white stripes adorn the Asian tiger mosquito, which could transmit the Zika virus. Source: Bugwood.org

In response to the emergence of the Zika virus in the Americas, a national pest alert has been developed by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture funded Regional Integrated Pest Management Centers. The pest alert and links to additional resources are available at https://www.ncipmc.org/action/alerts/zika.php to assist individuals in reducing their exposure to mosquitoes as well as discussing ways to eliminate mosquito larval and pupal development sites. The pest alert can be downloaded, printed and distributed as needed by Extension personnel and the general public.

The Zika virus, a flarivirus, is spreading quickly throughout the Americas and is vectored by Aedes mosquitoes. The virus can also be transmitted by blood transfusion, sexual contact, and in rare cases from mother to child. To date, all cases of humans infected with the Zika virus in the U.S. have contracted it from mosquitoes while traveling to countries where the Zika virus is present or through sexual transmission from an infected partner.

For more information about areas active with mosquito-borne transmission and travel recommendations see the website of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/. The pest alert will be updated if more information becomes available.