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KU prepares for and spreads awareness of Zika virus as students return from vacations and studying abroad
Associated Press Aedes aegypti mosquito sit in a glass tube at the Fiocruz institute, where scientists have been screening for Zika.
▶ MORGAN CORMACK @morgan_cormack
W with the first case of the Zika virus in Douglas
County being reported just a month ago, the University is taking steps to prevent the virus from spreading to the student population. Watkins Student Health Center and the Office of Study Abroad are working together to prepare for any potential cases.
"Study Abroad has provided us information to give students who are returning to KU," Dr. Douglas Dechairo of Watkins Health Center said. "Many students not
only study abroad, but since it's summer break many will travel out of the country; some to countries where Zika has been a bigger problem."
Dr. Dechairo said study abroad has been putting together packets and fact sheets to give students returning to the university, telling them what the virus is and what to do about it. From here, students can also find ways to access more information about Zika.
"I read all about the virus on Travax, which is a travel vaccination website," Quinlan Carttar, a junior majoring in Spanish, said. Carttar
is currently studying abroad in San Jose, Costa Rica.
"The concern for it gets bigger the farther you get away from the city," she said. "There aren't as many mosquitoes here."
While there is no official vaccine for the virus, precautions are still being taken.
"There have not been any cases concerning a KU student yet," Dr. Dechairo said. "But we know what we can do for now; we know how and when to test for it and where to send these tests."
Testing takes place after the student arrives back vinto the country, even if they do not experience any symp-
toms.
"When I get back I have to get a check-up for it, just in case," Carttar said.
Even without a vaccine, those who are traveling can still take precautions.
"So far, the cases reported [in general] have been
through exposure to mosquitoes and/or sexual contact," Dechairo said.
Doing simple things such as buying bug spray with DEET (diethyltoluamide) lessens the chance of contracting the virus. Dr. Dechairo said that, ultimately,
the best way to prevent Zika from spreading at the University is through awareness and education.
"We just need to keep spreading awareness," he said. "They need to know what it really is and how it works."