City of El Paso Texas

Zika virus is spread to people primarily through mosquito bites. The mosquitoes that spread Zika can bite at day and night. Zika virus can also be spread during sex with a person who has Zika to his or her sex partners and from a pregnant woman to her fetus during pregnancy.

Many people infected with Zika won't have symptoms or will only have mild symptoms. The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes).

Zika Basics

Prevention

The best way to prevent Zika is to prevent mosquito bites:

Use EPA-registered insect repellent. If you use both sunscreen and insect repellent, apply the sunscreen first and then the repellent.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
Stay in places with air conditioning or window and door screens.
Remove standing water around your home.

Zika Prevention Takes a Community. Do Your Part.
Control Mosquitoes Flyer (English) (Spanish)
Zika - Protection from Mosquitoes (English) (Spanish)
Zika and Septic Tanks Flyer (Bilingual)

Zika Symptoms

Many people infected with Zika wont’ have symptoms or will only have mild symptoms. The most common symptoms are fever, rash, headache, joint pain, red eyes, and muscle pain. Symptoms can last for several days to a week.

Zika virus can also spread

During sex with a person who has Zika to his or her sex partners.
From a pregnant woman to her fetus during pregnancy or around the time of birth.
Through blood transfusion.

Protect Yourself From Zika During Sex

Zika and Traveling

Mosquitoes spread many types of viruses and parasites that can cause disease like chikungunya, dengue, Zika, and malaria. If you are traveling to an area with active Zika cases, we encourage you to create a Zika Prevention Kit(ZPK). The products in a ZPK can help protect you from Zika.

Zika and Pregnancy

CDC recommends special precautions for pregnant women to protect themselves from Zika virus infection.

Follow the links below to access specific information relating to Zika and pregnancy.

Zika During Pregnancy

Did you know that Zika is a virus that can cause serious problems during pregnancy. Zika infection during pregnancy causes a birth defect called microcephaly and other brain problems.

Zika Prevention Kit for Pregnant Women

Travel During Pregnancy

What to Know If...