Hale: Nation needs education on Zika

Posted by Arlyssa Becenti | Mar 31, 2016 | News |

WINDOW ROCK

Arizona and New Mexico have each confirmed its fist case of the mosquito-born Zika virus, prompting concern over whether or not the Navajo Nation is ready for the worst-case scenario.

In March, both Arizona and New Mexico had confirmed individuals who had contracted the Zika virus after they had travelled outside of the United States. With the Navajo Nation spanning large parts of these two states, education on the Zika virus has not really been provided, nor have any plans been publicized to prepare for it.

“If we do see cases on Navajo Nation of Zika, we plan to monitor the individual, and make sure that he or she stays indoors for the illness, thus reducing any possibility of disease transmission to others,” said Navajo Department of Health Director Ramona Antone-Nez in an email to the Navajo Times. “Additionally, we have regular Zika conference calls with the State Departments of Health in New Mexico and Arizona, to share new information.”

Zika became a worldwide concern after an outbreak began in April 2015 in Brazil, spreading to other countries in South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. In January 2016, the World Health Organization said the virus was likely to spread throughout most of the Americas by the end of the year.

The Aedes species mosquito reportedly spreads the Zika virus. The symptoms of the virus can be so mild that individuals may not know they have it. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis. Even with mild symptoms, however, pregnant women are at risk of spreading the virus to their fetuses, which could cause a serious birth defect of the baby’s brain called microcephaly.