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The Asian tiger mosquito — the type of mosquito in Ohio that experts say can pass the Zika virus — is most active during daytime, unlike most mosquitoes in the state.

Tiger mosquito

The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, has been found in traps in 37 of Ohio’s 88 counties. It is believed to be capable of transmitting the Zika virus. Unlike most Ohio mosquitoes, which are active at dawn, dusk and evening, the Asian tiger mosquito is active during the daytime.

According to the Ohio Department of Health:

What is it?

Zika virus is a disease transmitted by mosquitoes, and there is no indication that it can spread person to person through casual contact.  However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported several cases of Zika virus infection in nontravelers in the continental United States after their sexual partners returned from an affected area and developed symptoms.

The disease has historically occurred in Africa, Southeast Asia and islands in the Pacific Ocean. In May 2015, Zika virus was found for the time in the Western Hemisphere in northeastern Brazil.  The virus has since spread through much of the Caribbean, Central America and South America. The CDC maintains an updated list of affected countries and territories as well as associated travel notices.

Most people, 80 percent, infected with Zika virus do not have any symptoms.  Of those who do experience symptoms, they are usually mild and include fever, rash, joint pain or conjunctivitis (red eyes).  Other symptoms can include muscle pain and headache.  Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon. Despite these relatively mild symptoms, health officials have determined that there is an association between Zika virus infections in pregnant women and birth defects.

Tiger mosquito information

The primary mosquito that transmits Zika virus is the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. This mosquito is found in the tropics and in the southern United States but is not known to be established in Ohio.

But the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is a related mosquito that is found in Ohio and may potentially transmit Zika virus. The species has a distinctive black-and-white striped body (see accompanying photo). But the Asian tiger mosquito has not yet been implicated in the transmission of human cases in the United States.

This species was introduced into the U.S. in the 1980s and has been collected in 37 counties, and it likely occurs in other counties as well.  As a precaution, it is recommended that suspected cases of Zika virus infection avoid mosquito exposure the week after symptom onset when mosquitoes are active in Ohio (May to October) in order to prevent the possibility that mosquitoes might become infected by biting an infected person and then transmitting the virus to other people.  Because most people who have Zika virus will have no symptoms, it is recommended that anyone returning from travel to a Zika-affected area use repellents and otherwise avoid mosquito exposure for three weeks after they return.

Travel advisory for pregnant women

Because of the association between Zika virus infections in pregnant women and certain birth defects, including microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects, the CDC recommends that pregnant women consider postponing travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.

More information on Zika virus and pregnancy is available on CDC’s website.

Health tips from the ODH

The best way to avoid Zika virus infection and other mosquito-borne diseases is to prevent mosquito bites. Here are tips to accomplish that from the Ohio Department of Health and the CDC::

  • When outdoors, wear Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered insect repellents.  All EPA registered insect repellents have been evaluated for effectiveness.  Always follow the product label instructions.
  • Unlike many mosquitoes, the Asian tiger mosquitoes are most active during the day and are most common in shade conditions.  Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants where these mosquitoes are active.
  • Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
  • Yellow fever mosquitoes and Asian tiger mosquitoes are both container breeding mosquitoes.  They do not breed in ponds, puddles or marshes.  Remove their breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels.  Change the water in pet dishes, and replace the water in bird baths weekly.  Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out.  Keep children’s wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren’t being used.