Zika Virus awareness for Team Robins Published Feb. 5, 2016 By Holly Logan-Arrington Robins Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- It's not mosquito season yet, but the flying insects are already on people's minds these days with the buzz about the Zika virus in the news. The Zika virus is a disease that's transmitted by the Aedes species of mosquito which is native to Georgia, the same species of mosquito that transmits dengue fever and chikungunya. Its spread to Georgia has put some people on edge. Staff Sgt. Brittany Guynn, 78th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Public Health Flight Communicable Disease and Prevention NCOIC, said currently, the only reported cases of Zika virus in the U.S involve people traveling back from Mexico, countries in Central America and northern South America, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. As of Feb. 3, the first Zika virus case in Georgia was confirmed in a woman that travelled to Columbia in December, Guynn said. Another case reported in Texas that was spread via sexual contact with an individual that had recently traveled to Venezuela. Guynn said the mosquito-borne disease is rarely life-threatening. "The virus typically causes mild illness with symptoms that include fever, rash, joint pain, red eyes or conjunctivitis, headache, and muscle pain," she said. "Symptoms may last for approximately a week." Since there's no medication to treat Zika virus at this time, treatment consists of rest, hydration, and medication for fever and pain, Guynn said. Public Health works to prevent the spread of disease. Robins' Public Health Flight and the 78th Medical Group constantly fight disease with prevention and treatment to protect Robins' workforce, enabling the mission to continue with little or no interruption. "We provide education to deployers and family members that may travel outside the U.S on how to protect themselves from illnesses, to include mosquito-borne illnesses," Guynn said. "Additionally, through the mosquito-prevalent months of April through October, we trap mosquitoes and send them to the U.S Air Force's School of Aerospace Medicine at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to be tested for diseases." Guynn said Robins' Public Health then educates the public on the diseases found in the local area and how people can protect themselves and their families. Public Health also works with 78th Civil Engineering's Pest Management to have areas where there are high numbers of female mosquitoes sprayed with pesticides. As Zika virus has been spread sexually, Guynn said people should use safe sex practices. "We advocate safe sex or abstinence at all times and military personnel are offered this education regularly throughout their military careers," she said. Because there's currently no vaccine to prevent Zika virus, preventing mosquito bites is the most effective way to protect oneself against mosquito-borne illnesses like Zika virus, Guynn said. "Some of the best ways to prevent mosquito bites are to wear long sleeves and long pants, use DEET products (such as OFF bug spray) on your skin when you're outdoors, and treat your clothing with permethrin," she said. "Also, eliminate areas where mosquitoes can breed by emptying anything around your home or workplace that could collect standing water. People should come to Public Health for Travel Medicine clearance before going out of the country, Guynn said. "We ensure that travelers are up to date on their vaccines and receive any required medications for malaria prevention," she said. "Travelers also receive a briefing and information sheet about the travel area." If travelers experience any symptoms upon return, they should see their medical provider, Guynn said.