ALCOAST 178/18 - MAY 2018 ZIKA VIRUS REMINDER

united states coast guard

R 141546 MAY 18
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-11//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N06010//
ALCOAST 178/18
COMDTNOTE 6010
SUBJ:  ZIKA VIRUS REMINDER
1.  The Zika virus continues to be a threat along the U.S. Gulf Coast, in the
Caribbean, and in Central and South America. Most people infected with the Zika
virus will not have symptoms or will only have mild symptoms. The most common
symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, headache, joint pain, red eyes and muscle pain.
Personnel deploying or transferring to these locations need to be aware of how
the Zika virus is spread and how to protect themselves.
2.  Zika is mainly spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. It can also be passed
through sex from a person who has Zika. The Zika virus also can be passed from a
pregnant woman to her fetus. The best way to protect yourself from Zika is to
protect yourself from mosquito bites and protect yourself during sex.
3.  Further information is available from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention at: https://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html and from the Health, Safety,
and Work-Life Service Center at:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/hswlsc/SitePages/Zika%20General%20Information.aspx.
4.  POC: CDR Shane Steiner, COMDT (CG-1121), Public Health Emergency Officer,
202-475-5256, E-mail: shane.c.steiner@uscg.mil.
5.  RADM Erica G. Schwartz, Director, Health, Safety, and Work-Life, sends.
6.  Internet release authorized.