Public Health advises on Zika Virus locally

GRUNDY CENTER – Over the last few weeks, the Zika Virus has made its way into the national spotlight – and with three confirmed cases in Iowa – some people in Grundy County may be wondering what the risk is for them.
Wendy Monaghan, the Grundy County Public Health Manager, said that the species of mosquito that is responsible for the virus (Aedes mosquito) is found in tropical regions, and can’t survive in the colder climate of the Midwest, so the risk of contracting Zika Virus in Grundy County would be very little to none.
“Those mosquitos don’t live in this part of America, so your chances of contracting Zika Virus in Grundy County is very minimal,” she said. “The risk of contracting it comes when you travel outside the U.S. to regions where the outbreak is happening, such as the Caribbean, Central America or South America.”
Monaghan said that in all three confirmed cases of Zika Virus in Iowa, the affected persons had all recently traveled to the Caribbean, Central America or South America.
For the full story, check out the March 10 edition of The Grundy Register.