DON T GIVE ZIKA A CHANCE PREVENTION IS YOUR BEST MEDICINE

Transcription

1 AN ENNIA PUBLICATION FULL OF INFORMATION AND PREVENTION TIPS DON T GIVE ZIKA A CHANCE PREVENTION IS YOUR BEST MEDICINE MARCH 2017 ennia.com 1 facebook.com/enniaprevention

2 DON T GIVE ZIKA A CHANCE PREVENTION IS YOUR BEST MEDICINE 2

3 Foreword Mosquitoes are not just annoying and inconvenient; they can also be dangerous. The Aedes aegypti mosquito, also known as the Yellow Fever or Dengue mosquito, not only spreads Dengue, but also Chikungunya and Zika, creating significant health risks for the young and old. The Zika virus is spreading worldwide. In Brazil and Colombia hundreds of thousands of people are already infected with the Zika virus and Zika has also already spread to the Caribbean. Most people with Zika experience mild symptoms similar to a mild flu. Unfortunately, it has now also been established that Zika can contribute to miscarriages, severe birth defects, paralysis and sometimes even death. There is no vaccination or cure for Zika yet. Preventing yourself from being bitten by mosquitoes, is your best alternative. That s why this brochure, with many prevention tips, was developed in close cooperation with the Curaçao Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature. Gilbert Martina Senior Managing Director ENNIA 3

4 Table of Contents FOREWORD PART I ZIKA INFORMATION 1.1 What is Zika? How is Zika spread? Which countries has Zika spread to? What are the characteristics of the Aedes aegypti mosquito? What are the symptoms of Zika? 8 Zika and mild symptoms 8 Zika and pregnancy 9 Zika and paralysis Where can you get information about Zika? 10 PART II ZIKA PREVENTION TIPS 2.1 Zika prevention tips to prevent mosquito bites Zika prevention tips to eliminate mosquito breeding places Zika prevention tips for your home Zika prevention tips for pregnant women Zika prevention tips for responsible insecticide use Zika prevention tips when you already have the virus 21 This Zika information brochure was developed in close cooperation with the Curaçao Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature. It was subsequently reviewed by all the relevant governmental institutions in Aruba, Bonaire and St. Maarten.

5 PART I ZIKA INFORMATION 1.1 WHAT IS ZIKA? Zika is an infection. This infection is caused by the Zika virus. In 2015, the Zika virus found its way to the Americas. That s how one of the fastest growing epidemics of the past few years began. Because of this virus impact on unborn children, in 2016 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Zika epidemic an international emergency. Fortunately, we see that in some countries and in most of the Dutch Caribbean islands, the peak of the epidemic is now behind us. Still there s a need to remain cautious. 1.2 HOW DOES ZIKA SPREAD? The Zika virus is spread by the Aedes that contains the virus stays in the person who was bitten. Scientists have now determined that Zika can also be transmitted by having sex with someone who already has the Zika virus. aegypti mosquito. This mosquito can carry many other, different viruses with it, such as Dengue and Chikungunya, which have been present in the Caribbean much longer. When the mosquito bites someone, these diseases can spread if the mosquito s saliva Unfortunately, there is no vaccine against the Zika virus. Experts say that there won t be one for the time being. To avoid contracting Zika, make sure that you are not bitten by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. 5

6 PART I ZIKA INFORMATION 1.3 TO WHAT COUNTRIES HAS ZIKA SPREAD? The virus impact on unborn children become clearer due to the large number Currently, the Zika virus has been confirmed in 76 countries. This includes countries in Latin and North America, but also in Africa and Asia. The virus continues to spread geographically, although for many countries, the worst is over. Zika infections in Brazil. This makes it all the more important to take all possible preventive measures. This way we can protect unborn children against permanent damage to their health that they can incur from Zika while in their mother s womb. CURRENTLY THERE ARE NO TIGER MOSQUITOES IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN There is a common misconception about the mosquito that transmits Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika being referred to as the tiger mosquito. This is incorrect. The mosquito which transmits these diseases on our islands, the Aedes aegypti, is also called the dengue mosquito. As yet, the Aedes albopictus (the tiger mosquito) is not present in the Dutch Caribbean. 6

7 PART I ZIKA INFORMATION 1.4 WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AEDES AEGYPTI MOSQU General characteristics of the Aedes aegypti mosquito: It likes to be around humans. It has black and white stripes on its body and legs. It spreads various diseases, including Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika. It lives about six weeks. It doesn t only stay in the vicinity of where it was born. It can also end up somewhere else by being blown there by the wind or by riding along in a car. Specific characteristics of the female Aedes aegypti mosquito: She needs blood to produce eggs. She prefers to bite humans. She bites animals. She bites several times to collect enough blood. She bites throughout the day. She is most active at dawn and dusk. She breeds in stagnant water. She likes to lay her eggs in objects that can hold water, such as tires, scrap cars, littered cups, cans, foam containers and bottles. She lays eggs 4 to 5 times during her lifetime; approximately 200 eggs in total. Her eggs can survive on the edges of objects for up to a year. Her eggs hatch when they come in contact with water, for example, when it rains. 7

8 PART I ZIKA INFORMATION 1.5 WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ZIKA? 80% of the people with Zika don t even notice they have it! According to scientific information, Zika is not a deadly disease. The Zika virus symptoms are milder than Dengue or Chikungunya and resemble a mild flu. The problem with Zika is that often you don t notice you have it. In four out of five people who contract Zika, the disease even progresses without any symptoms. The symptoms of Zika appear 3 to 12 days after the virus enters your body. These symptoms can then continue for 2 to 7 days. The most notable symptoms of Zika are a rash and red eyes without any discharge. Currently 1 there is no medicine for or vaccine against Zika. Your doctor can only give you something for the fever and the pain. ZIKA AND MILD SYMPTOMS With Zika you may be affected by the symptoms below within 3 to 12 days after the virus enters your body. Common symptoms: Skin rash with or without itching (redness and/or pimples) Red eyes (without any discharge) Headache Fever Joint pain Swollen legs General discomfort Less common symptoms: Pain behind the eyes Decreased appetite Diarrhea Vomiting Abdominal pain 1 September

9 PART I ZIKA INFORMATION Adult female mosquito needs blood to produce eggs Pupae become adult mosquitoes Eggs are laid in stagnant water New mosquitoes develop within 5 to 10 days Larvae develop into pupae in water ZIKA AND PREGNANCY Data from the Zika epidemic in Brazil and It is however certain that the Zika intensive research show that there is a clear virus can be passed on from the mother relationship between the Zika infection to both the placenta and to the unborn in pregnant women and miscarriages, child s nervous system. premature death of babies after birth and ZIKA AND PARALYSIS microcephaly in unborn children. There is evidence from other countries Babies with microcephaly are born with that Zika can cause Guillain-Barré a deformed head. Compared to healthy Syndrome (GBS). GBS is a paralysis that babies, their skull is too small and their can occur after being infected with Zika brains do not develop properly. A baby and it is usually temporary. Some patients with microcephaly can become disabled recover completely, while some patients and die prematurely. only recover partially. In rare cases GBS can be fatal. GBS also occurs in the More research is required over a longer Caribbean. Scientists think that due to period of time to understand exactly what all the spread of Zika into our region, we can the consequences of the Zika virus might be. expect more cases of GBS than normal. 9

10 PART I ZIKA INFORMATION 1.6 WHERE CAN YOU GET INFORMATION ABOUT ZIKA? You have a right to good information! UP-TO-DATE AND RELIABLE INFORMATION ABOUT ZIKA INFORMATION ABOUT THE HEALTH RISKS FROM ZIKA As a resident of the Dutch Caribbean, information can be obtained from various government agencies. These agencies provide up-to-date and reliable information about Zika. They can also send inspectors to your home when you re being plagued by mosquitoes and/or you suspect that there are mosquito breeding In addition, your doctor or gynecologist is also an important source of information regarding health risks from Zika. If you are pregnant or want to become pregnant, we advise you to immediately contact your doctor and/ or gynecologist in order to minimize the risks to your unborn child. places, which you can t find by yourself. Look on the back cover of this booklet for a convenient overview of Zika helplines and information points on Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao and St. Maarten. 10

11 PART II ZIKA PREVENTION TIPS 2.1 Zika prevention tips to prevent mosquito bites Don t let yourself be bitten! WEAR PROPER CLOTHING Wear clothing that covers your body as much as possible at sunrise and sunset, because that s when Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are most active. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants that mosquitoes can t easily bite you through. Wear light-colored clothing, because dark clothing attracts more mosquitoes. USE SCREENS AND MOSQUITO NETS Sleep under a mosquito net to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Always use mosquito nets for babies younger than 2 months, who are still too young to have mosquito repellents applied to them. Place screens on windows and doors to stop mosquitoes from entering and close doors and windows without screens very well. CHOOSE EFFECTIVE MOSQUITO REPELLENTS Use mosquito repellents to protect your family from mosquito bites. Choose a repellent that contains DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or IR3535. Use a repellent containing 20-25% DEET which will protect you for at least 6 to 8 hours. Reapply the repellent when it is no longer effective. 11

12 PART II ZIKA PREVENTION TIPS 2.2 Zika prevention tips to eliminate mosquito breeding places Don t give mosquito eggs a chance to hatch! Zika is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. It is important to reduce the number of mosquitoes by ensuring that as few eggs as possible hatch. The female mosquito lays her eggs preferably in clean, stagnant water, but if there s no clean water, dirty water will suffice. Therefore it s very important that puddles and all objects that can collect water in and around your home or property are eliminated, emptied or covered. ELIMINATE ZIKA BREEDING PLACES WEEKLY Remove all objects in and around your home that can collect water. Store them, cover them up or throw them away in a covered garbage bin (Kliko). Using a scouring sponge to remove all mosquito eggs from the edges of objects which you can t cover or store. You can recognize the eggs as black dots. Change water in flower pots or vases regularly. Where possible, place cuttings and water plants in earth or (sea)sand and make sure the water does not rise above the level of the earth/sand when you water them. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes like to lay their eggs in open bottles, cups, foam trays, paint cans, ponds, pools, toys lying around, tires, refrigerators, scrap cars and boats in your yard. Even if objects in your home or yard don t contain any water, mosquito eggs can remain attached to their edges. They will remain intact and can hatch later when they come into contact with water again. This can happen even up to a year after the eggs were laid. 12

13 PART II ZIKA PREVENTION TIPS 2.3 Zika prevention tips for your home Make sure there s no standing water anywhere! 1. VASES, POTS AND POTTED PLANT SAUCERS Clean vases at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs. Ensure that water doesn t remain too long in saucers under potted plants. Ensure that large decorative pots in your yard are filled with soil or have holes in the bottom so that water can always drain away. 2. OLD CARS AND TIRES IN YOUR YARD Remove scrap cars from your yard so that they don t collect rainwater. Store tires under a roof so that they don t catch any rainwater. Cover tires well so that they can t collect water under any circumstances. 3. BOTTLES, CANS AND OTHER LITTER IN AND AROUND YOUR HOME Never leave bottles open. Throw away empty bottles in the garbage can or recycle them. Clean up litter, such as plastic bags, plastic cups, aluminum cans, beer bottles and foam containers, around your home and in your neighborhood, so that water can t collect in them. 13

14 PART II ZIKA PREVENTION TIPS 4. ROOF GUTTERS AND RAIN BARRELS Clean roof gutters regularly and ensure that rainwater can always flow away. Clean rain barrels and water tanks regularly. Cover rain barrels with cloth or gauze, because mosquitoes can enter via small openings and lay their eggs in there. 5. FOOD AND WATER BOWLS FOR PETS Clean pets water bowls thoroughly and at least once a week with a scouring sponge to remove any mosquito eggs. Change the water in your pets water bowls daily. Get rid of any unused food and water bowls in and around your home. 6. HOLLOW FENCE POSTS AND (ORNAMENTAL) CONCRETE BLOCKS IN YOUR YARD Fill hollow fence posts with (sea)sand. Ensure that hollow parts of ornamental and concrete blocks are always filled with earth or cement. Fill broken bottles, which have been placed on top of walls, with sand or cement. 14

15 PART II ZIKA PREVENTION TIPS Continued: Zika prevention tips in and around your home 7. OLD APPLIANCES AND BUILDING MATERIALS IN YOUR YARD Remove old and unused washing machines and refrigerators from your yard. Use the free bulky waste collection service to get rid of these appliances. Ensure that the appliances you still use regularly, don t collect water. Ensure building materials and paint cans are covered well. 8. PUDDLES AND PONDS IN YOUR YARD Eliminate small puddles around your house so that no water remains. Fill larger puddles, that remain filled with water for several days, with sand. Add small fish such as guppies and goldfish to your pond, they are known for eating mosquito larvae. 9. SWIMMING POOLS IN USE AND NOT BEING USED IN YOUR YARD AND NEIGHBORHOOD Always make sure there is enough chlorine in your pool. Drain unused pools and cover them well so that (rain)water can t collect in them. Ask for advice from your Zika information point when there are unattended pools filled with stagnant water in your neighborhood, while the residents/owners are abroad for an extended period of time. 10. SANDBOXES, INFLATABLE CHILDREN S POOLS AND TOYS IN YOUR YARD Cover sandboxes well after use. Cover inflatable children s pools well and empty unused pools. Don t leave toys in the yard as they may collect water. 15

16 PART II ZIKA PREVENTION TIPS 2.4 Zika prevention tips for pregnant women Protect your unborn child! PREVENT MOSQUITO BITES DURING YOUR ENTIRE PREGNANCY The Zika virus creates risks for your unborn child. Protect yourself as much as possible and make absolutely sure that you will not be bitten by mosquitoes. PRACTICE SAFE SEX DURING YOUR ENTIRE PREGNANCY The Zika virus is also sexually transmitted. Practice safe sex during your entire pregnancy and always use condoms. 80% of people who become infected with Zika don t notice anything. Men can spread the Zika virus without knowing it during sex (via sperm) with their (pregnant) partners. 16 CONTACT YOUR FAMILY PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY IF YOU SUSPECT YOU HAVE ZIKA If during your pregnancy you develop a rash, red eyes or sore joints, with or without fever, you should contact your family physician as soon as possible. Indicate what potential Zika symptoms you have and mention that you are pregnant.

17 PART II ZIKA PREVENTION TIPS Continued: Zika prevention tips in and around your home 11. CESSPOOLS AND SEPTIC TANKS Make sure your cesspool and/or septic tank is hermetically sealed so that mosquitoes can not fly inside through a narrow opening. Be aware that the eggs of the Aedes aegypti mosquito can also hatch in a septic tank because parts of these tanks contain fresh water. Be aware that other dangerous mosquitoes, such as the Culex mosquito, even lay their eggs in dirty cesspool water. So always cover the ventilation pipe of your cesspool and your septic tank well with a mosquito net. 12. ABOVE GROUND CONCRETE WATER TANKS Fill your water reservoir with small fish, such as guppies and goldfish, instead of using larvicide. Make sure it always contains a sufficient number of guppies. Check with your government s Zika information point if you still want to use larvicide, to learn which one is most appropriate. 13. OLD AND NEW BOATS IN YOUR YARD Turn boats that you do not use regularly over in the yard. Cover your boat, kayak or jet ski well so that they can t collect rainwater. Remove old boats, you no longer use, from your yard. 14. TOILETS THAT ARE RARELY USED Flush toilets that you do not use regularly at least once a week. Make sure the toilet tank or the reservoir is always closed well. Add a small amount of chlorine or toilet cleaner to the toilet water weekly. 17

18 PART II ZIKA PREVENTION TIPS TAKE SPECIAL CARE WITH YOUNG CHILDREN Always spray mosquito repellent into your own hands first, before you apply it on your children. Don t apply it on your children s hands because they touch their eyes and mouth often. Never use Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus on children under 3 years old. Never use mosquito repellents on babies younger than 2 months old because they can be harmful to their health. Always use a mosquito net to protect them from mosquitoes. SPRAY YOURSELF AND APPLY THE REPELLENT WELL Never spray mosquito repellents directly on your face. First spray a small amount into your hands and then apply it on your face with your hands. Carefully apply it on all exposed parts of your body. Keep the repellent away from your eyes and mouth and always wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. 18

19 PART II ZIKA PREVENTION TIPS 2.5 Zika prevention tips for responsible insecticide use Protect nature! In order to prevent Zika, insecticides are used to combat adult mosquitos, and larvicides are used for destroying their larvae and eggs. Improper use of insecticides can make mosquitoes resistant. In addition, using excessive amounts of insecticide is harmful to the environment. These also kill other insects such as bees, butterflies, beetles, and dragonflies, which are incredibly important to our eco-system. RESPONSIBLE USE OF LARVICIDE Choose a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution to remove mosquito breeding places in areas where water is collected or stored. Cover these water containers carefully with gauze or cloth or use guppies. If the above methods don t work, you can add larvicide to the water to kill the mosquito larvae before they develop into mature mosquitoes. RESPONSIBLE USE OF INSECTICIDE SPRAYS Use an electric mosquito racket to kill mosquitoes by giving them a mild electric shock. Use an electric mosquito racket to hunt for mosquitoes in their hiding places. Check carefully under furniture, in dark corners, on the ceiling and on top of cabinets for mosquitoes. 19

20 PART II ZIKA PREVENTION TIPS RESPONSIBLE USE OF INSECTICIDE SPRAYS Make sure that no people or animals are nearby when you spray insecticide yourself. Close windows and doors completely before you start. Don t forget to spray in out-of-the-way places. Look carefully under beds and in closets. Keep the sprayed area closed for at least 30 minutes and air it out thoroughly before using the room. RESPONSIBLE PRECAUTIONS WHEN THE GOVERNMENT VISITS YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD TO SPRAY AGAINST MOSQUITOES Take proper precautions when trucks come to spray against mosquitoes in your neighborhood. Cover food, utensils, plates and cups well. Keep windows and doors open so that the insecticide can spread into all rooms and close them one hour after the spraying truck has left. RESPONSIBLE PROTECTION OF YOUR PETS FROM INSECTICIDE Protect your pets such as fish and turtles. They are particularly sensitive to insecticides when it comes into contact with water. Cover their food and water bowls well during the spraying and wash them thoroughly once the spraying truck has left. 20

21 PART II ZIKA PREVENTION TIPS 2.6 Zika prevention tips when you already have the virus Make sure you don t infect others! MAKE SURE YOU DON T FURTHER SPREAD THE ZIKA VIRUS Once you are infected with the Zika virus, you still have to make sure that you don t get bitten by a mosquito. When an Aedes aegypti mosquito bites you, it takes the virus, together with your blood, and it passes the Zika virus on to another victim. That s how the Zika virus spreads unintentionally to family members and other people in your neighborhood. 21

22 AN ENNIA PUBLICATION FULL OF INFORMATION AND PREVENTION TIPS This Zika information brochure was developed in close cooperation with the Curaçao Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature and was subsequently reviewed by all the relevant governmental institutions in Aruba, Bonaire and St. Maarten. ZIKA - ARUBA INFORMATION POINT Department of Public Health / Directie Volksgezondheid Caya Ing. Roland H. Lacle 4, Oranjestad, Aruba T: (+297) / GKMB (Gele Koorts en Muskieten Bestrijding - Combating Yellow Fever and Mosquitoes) Barcadera 1-D, Santa Cruz, Aruba T: (+297) ZIKA - BONAIRE INFORMATION POINT Department of Public Health Directie Samenleving & Zorg, Openbaar Lichaam Bonaire, Kaya Neerlandia 41, Bonaire T: (+599) ZIKA - CURAÇAO INFORMATION POINT Ministerie van Gezondheid, Milieu en Natuur (GMN) Sector Gezondheid, Epidemiologie en Onderzoek Piscaderaweg 49, Curaçao T: (+5999) / M: 9345 Gratis Hulplijn GMN Ministerie T: ZIKA - ST. MAARTEN INFORMATION POINT Ministry of Health, Social Development and Employment Vineyard Office Park 3 W.G. Buncamper Road 33 Pondfill, Sint Maarten T: (+1721) / / Toll Free Helpline T: (550-call) ennia.com 22 facebook.com/enniaprevention