CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW)- The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control encourages the community to take precautions against the spread of the Zika virus this summer.
As of August 10, 2016, South Carolina has had 30 travel-associated cases of Zika virus. Of those, 29 were in travelers who were infected abroad and diagnosed after they returned home.
DHEC reports one case involved a South Carolina resident who had sexual contact with someone who acquired the Zika infection while traveling abroad.
State health leaders say the best way to prevent the spread of Zika is to avoid mosquitoes.
“Anytime you’re outside you have the exposure to mosquitoes. Obviously, the afternoon showers pose the more potential threat for any kind of water source to be maintained,” Linda Johnson with the Pee Dee Regional Health Department said.
She encourages people to check bird baths or holes in your yard, flower pots for standing water because that’s where mosquitoes breed.
“Obviously with the rain that brings more water. Brings more standing water, so that would sort of increase our need to be aware and need to do a walk around the yard or walk around the environment and make sure anything that was holding water is dumped out. So that we eliminate any of those potential breeding grounds.”
There are also things you can wear to help protect yourself and limit exposure.
“Wearing long sleeves, wearing long pants, using an insect repellent. Making sure their house is in good working order. Making sure screens are tact,” Johnson added as ways to limit exposure.
DHEC says it will continue to monitor mosquitoes in the are and develop an action plan as needed for any Zika cases.
