To prevent Zika virus infection, attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors.
Behavioral risk factors
- Bite of mosquito of the genus Aedes (Aedes aegypti (Egyptian tiger mosquito; main vector), Aedes africanus, Aedes luteocephalus, Aedes vittatus, Aedes furcider)Note: Tiger mosquitoes are diurnal mosquitoes and are distributed worldwide in the tropics and subtropics, as well as in temperate zones.
WHO warns pregnant women not to travel to affected areas. Travelers returning from Zika areas should have at least 8 weeks only protected sex with condomsFurthermore, expectant mothers whose sexual partners lived in affected areas should have only protected sex during pregnancy (see below).
Preventive measures (protective measures)
The following measures should be implemented for individual prophylaxis:
- Detailed medical consultation before traveling to tropical countries and countries with known Zika virus infections.
- Exposure prophylaxis – protect indoors and outdoors for mosquitoes.
- All-day mosquito protection
- Wearing long clothing
- Using repellents (mosquito repellent solutions).
- Mosquito nets (window and bed nets).
People who have traveled in areas where the Zika virus is transmitted:
- Men should initiate unprotected sexual intercourse no earlier than 6 months* after last exposure or symptom onset if they wish to have children; during the waiting period, genital contact should be exclusively by condom or by abstinence.
- Women should postpone planned pregnancy by at least 8 weeks after last exposure or symptom onset; during the waiting period, genital contact exclusively by condom or by abstinence.
- Pregnant women should necessarily point out to their gynecologist.
* Transmission through infected semen / sexual intercourse is also possible. Zika virus survives longer than 6 months in the ejaculate.
Breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding is allowed (WHO)
Prevention factors (protective factors)
- Earlier dengue infection may significantly reduce the risk of Zika-associated harm to the newborn