Kentuckians headed to tropical locales for spring break are being reminded to take precautions against the Zika virus. Travelers are advised to prevent mosquito bites and unprotected sexual contact if venturing to areas where the Zika virus has been identified.
"The places where individuals tend to go for spring break tends to be in countries like the Caribbean, Mexico, parts of South America," said Dr. Ardis Hoven, an infectious disease specialist with the Kentucky Department for Public Health. "We're advising people to be very careful because this is where active transmission of Zika can occur."
Dr. Hoven says Zika has even been confirmed in south Florida. Pregnant women should avoid those areas all together since the virus has been linked to birth defects. For others, health experts suggest wearing long sleeve shirts and long pants, and using high-strength insect repellant. Thirty-five cases of Zika have been reported in Kentuckians who contracted the illness while traveling.
