Zika Virus Disease

Zika virus is spread primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. Zika can also be transmitted through sex and from a pregnant woman to her fetus. Many people infected with Zika won’t have symptoms or will only have mild symptoms. The most common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain, or red eyes. Symptoms can last for several days to a week. However, Zika infection during pregnancy can cause a birth defect of the brain called microcephaly. Other problems have been detected among fetuses and infants infected with Zika virus before birth, such as defects of the eye, hearing deficits, and impaired growth. There is no vaccine to prevent Zika. The best way to prevent diseases spread by mosquitoes is to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites. Here’s how:

• Wear insect repellent
• Cover up with long-sleeved shirts and long pants
• Use condoms with a partner who has been in an area with Zika
• Remove standing water in your home and around your community
• Stay in places with air conditioning and window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside
• Clean up trash, containers, and tires that can hold water
• Use larvicides in water that can’t be removed and won’t be used for drinking

• CDC Information about Zika (en español)

Ebola Virus Disease

Ebola virus was first described in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since then, the virus has emerged periodically and infected people in several African countries. In August of 2014, the World Health Organization declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern due to an Ebola outbreak.  The outbreak primarily affected countries in western Africa; however, Ebola cases were diagnosed in the United States and other countries. The majority of U.S. Ebola patients were infected outside of the U.S and either medically evacuated into the U.S for treatment or entered the county as a regular arline passenger. The Center for Disease Control collaborated with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security, and state and local public health departments to screen travelers returning from Ebola-affected countries, provide safe transport for patients being assessed for EVD, and strengthen preparedness and infection control in hospitals. Although the international outbreak was declared over in June 2016, there have been additional outbreaks reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Frederick County Health Department continues to monitor the situation and works very closely with community and state partners in preparing for and responding to situations that might be related to Ebola.

Local and State Ebola Preparedness

• Information on state preparation for Ebola can be found on the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene website.
• Frederick County Health Department continually monitors the Ebola situation.
• The health department and partners are discussing protocols, conducting drills and training staff in preparation for any potential Ebola response.
• The health department and Frederick Memorial Hospital are working with local health care providers on procedures and tools to ensure proper screening.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is viral respiratory illness first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012. It is caused by a coronavirus called MERS-CoV. Most people who have been confirmed to have MERS-CoV infection developed severe acute respiratory illness. They had fever, cough, and shortness of breath. About 30% of these people died. Most cases have been linked to 6 countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula; however, two cases were confirmed in the United States, none in Maryland.

CDC continues to closely monitor the MERS-CoV situation globally and work with partners to better understand the risks of this virus, including the source, how it spreads, and how infections might be prevented. The risk to the general public is extremely low. For the most current information about MERS Co-V, please visit the CDC website.

Zombie Preparedness

Are you prepared for a Zombie Pandemic? The CDC has started a campaign to help you prepare for zombies, or for any other public health emergency that might happen. The great thing about being prepared is that you need the same things if you're preparing for zombies, a hurricane, or winter weather! Get a kit, make a plan, be prepared!

For more information about preparing for zombies (or whatever might happen!), check out the CDC's graphic novel, "Preparedness 101: Zombie Pandemic."