MANAGING EPIDEMICS | KEY FACTS ABOUT MAJOR DEADLY DISEASES ZIKA 104

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The virus is also transmissible Vector control strategies are garding vector control at airports
through sexual contact, blood important for prevention and should be implemented in accordance
transfusion, and organ transplan- control
with the IHR (2005). Countries should
consider disinfection of aircraft.
tation
• Vector control strategies should address
• Zika virus can be transmitted through all life stages of the Aedes mosquito from
sexual intercourse. This is of concern the egg, to larva and adult. Community
because of the association between Zika engagement is essential for these inter-
virus infection and adverse pregnancy ventions:
outcomes.
- Elimination of breeding sites and eggs/lar-
• In regions with active Zika virus vae/pupae in standing water (e.g. cleaning
transmission, health programmes should roof gutters, clean-up campaigns, etc.);
ensure that:
- Targeted residual spraying of adult mos-
- All people with Zika virus infection and quitoes (in areas known to be resting sites
their sexual partners (particularly pregnant for Aedes mosquitoes) and space spray-
women) receive information about the ing when there is an outbreak.
risks of sexual transmission of Zika virus;
• Mosquito surveillance is part of vector
-
Men and women receive counselling control and helps improve timeliness of
on safe sexual practices and are offered decisions to control mosquito popula-
condoms; tions and prevention disease. Both larval
and adult vector populations should be
- Sexually active men and women should targeted for surveillance.
be counselled and offered a full range of
contraceptive methods to make informed • Standard WHO recommendations re-
choices about whether and when to
become pregnant, to prevent unintended
pregnancies, and prevent possible
adverse pregnancy outcomes;
- Pregnant women should be advised not
to travel to areas of ongoing Zika virus
outbreaks.
• Other modes of person-to-person Zika
transmission include: blood transfusion,
organ transplantation and laboratory or
other blood-borne exposure.