WINNIPEG – If you’re heading off on a hot trip and are worried about the Zika virus there are a few things you can do.
Dr. Richard Rusk joined Global Winnipeg’s Morning News Wednesday to discuss symptoms of the mosquito-born tropical disease and how to avoid it.
“Zika is a typical viral infection,” Rusk said. “The important part about this one is you definitely get a rash, in some ways it even looks like a measles rash and you can even get joint aches.”
He notes only 20 per cent of people get the flu-like symptoms once they’re infected by mosquitoes.
“These guys will bite during the day as well as in the evening,” Rusk said. “The chances of someone getting it here are very small.”
If you’re heading down south to escape the winter cold, the chances of getting bitten by a mosquito is high.
There are four recently confirmed cases of the virus in Canada and one in the United States.
“Will that mosquito have the virus is questionable because there are other viruses that compete and these mosquitoes carry a variety of viruses,” Rusk said. “The live in urban areas as well so the mosquito will be in the areas that are not at the beach.”
He suggests covering up with long shirts, pants and a hat, just as if you were golfing , to prevent dangers of contracting the virus.