zika virus - am i safe?
What is it?
Zika virus disease (Zika) is a disease caused by the Zika virus, which is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika. For this reason, many people might not realize they have been infected. However, Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly, as well as other severe fetal brain defects. There is no treatment for Zika, but medicine can help relieve the symptoms and a normal human body will be able to fight off the infection. Once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections.
The most common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis (red eyes). Most people have mild symptoms and do not need to go to a hospital. Symptoms usually start two to 12 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito and may last up to a week. Zika may be mistaken for other diseases caused by mosquitoes, such as dengue virus or chikungunya virus. Health care providers use a blood test to confirm Zika.
How can I protect myself?
So far, there have been no reported cases to have been contracted in the United States, however the virus is spreading through many South American countries. If you are pregnant or are trying to get pregnant, it is advised that you avoid travel to these countries.
Health officials speculate the the virus could spread to the United States within a matter of weeks. With the upcoming summer humidity, mosquitoes will travel further North, some could possibly carry the Zika virus.
There are a few tips to prevent the spread of the virus by limiting your exposure to mosquitoes:
Visit the following sites for more info:
Zika virus disease (Zika) is a disease caused by the Zika virus, which is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika. For this reason, many people might not realize they have been infected. However, Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly, as well as other severe fetal brain defects. There is no treatment for Zika, but medicine can help relieve the symptoms and a normal human body will be able to fight off the infection. Once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections.
The most common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis (red eyes). Most people have mild symptoms and do not need to go to a hospital. Symptoms usually start two to 12 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito and may last up to a week. Zika may be mistaken for other diseases caused by mosquitoes, such as dengue virus or chikungunya virus. Health care providers use a blood test to confirm Zika.
How can I protect myself?
So far, there have been no reported cases to have been contracted in the United States, however the virus is spreading through many South American countries. If you are pregnant or are trying to get pregnant, it is advised that you avoid travel to these countries.
Health officials speculate the the virus could spread to the United States within a matter of weeks. With the upcoming summer humidity, mosquitoes will travel further North, some could possibly carry the Zika virus.
There are a few tips to prevent the spread of the virus by limiting your exposure to mosquitoes:
- Remove any still water you have sitting around the home (such as bird baths, buckets, pool covers, etc.) as mosquitoes generally breed in these areas.
- Ensure that all windows, doors, etc. in your home are protected by a screen if you open them in the summertime.
- Use bug spray or wear long sleeves or pants in the evening hours to protect yourself from mosquito bites when outdoors.
- If you own a pool, make sure it is properly maintained and chlorinated.
- Use a mosquito bed-net if you cannot keep mosquitoes out of your residence. Cover cribs, strollers and baby carries with mosquito netting.
Visit the following sites for more info:
QUICK RESPONSE SAVED OCEANPORT MAN'S LIFE
OCEANPORT - January's blizzard may be a fading memory, but for resident Thomas Williams it's a day he will never forget — it's a day he nearly lost his life.
Williams, 69, like many Jersey Shore residents, spent hours on Jan. 23 digging out from a snowstorm that produced prolific amounts of snow. However, after pushing the snow blower around his Comanche Drive property, he came inside and started experiencing shortness of breath. Moments later, he suffered a massive heart attack called a v-fib — formally ventricular fibrillation — the most serious cardiac rhythm disturbance, said Monmouth Medical Center interventional cardiologist Michael A. Wappel.
Williams' wife Gayle called 911. It was received by Oceanport Police Department at 4:33 p.m. "The call was for an unresponsive male who was not breathing," said Oceanport Police Chief Daniel Barcus. "Our officers were already out in the road strategically placed around town."
In a heavy snowfall, Oceanport Patrolman William Resnyk, Officer Matthew Cole, Patrolman John Weir and Lt. Michael Kelly were at the door in one minute. Oceanport firefighter and medic Jerry Bertekap was next to arrive. Barcus said the first emergency teams initiated CPR and used an automated external defibrillator (AED) and were able to get a pulse. Bertekap succeeded in opening an airway. More emergency teams kept arriving — the borough's public work crew, volunteer firefighters and first aid squad, and Monmouth County medics.
Public works and firefighters cleared snow and Williams, a painting contractor, was transported to Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch where doctors performed emergency surgery. Wappel opened his blocked artery and restored the function of his heart.
“The next morning when we checked on him, he was absolutely fine," said Wappel. In the days that followed, the Borough Council awarded Cole, Bertekap and Resnyk with certificates of valor while commending all emergency team members involved in the race to save a man's life.
"It was a tremendous team effort. I was very proud to be a part of the Oceanport community that day," said Barcus.
Williams is back at home and recovering his strength, he told the Press on Friday.
"Each day I'm getting a little bit better. My wife and I would like to thank everybody involved. It was an amazing response," said Williams.
Published in Asbury Park Press 2/27/16
Williams, 69, like many Jersey Shore residents, spent hours on Jan. 23 digging out from a snowstorm that produced prolific amounts of snow. However, after pushing the snow blower around his Comanche Drive property, he came inside and started experiencing shortness of breath. Moments later, he suffered a massive heart attack called a v-fib — formally ventricular fibrillation — the most serious cardiac rhythm disturbance, said Monmouth Medical Center interventional cardiologist Michael A. Wappel.
Williams' wife Gayle called 911. It was received by Oceanport Police Department at 4:33 p.m. "The call was for an unresponsive male who was not breathing," said Oceanport Police Chief Daniel Barcus. "Our officers were already out in the road strategically placed around town."
In a heavy snowfall, Oceanport Patrolman William Resnyk, Officer Matthew Cole, Patrolman John Weir and Lt. Michael Kelly were at the door in one minute. Oceanport firefighter and medic Jerry Bertekap was next to arrive. Barcus said the first emergency teams initiated CPR and used an automated external defibrillator (AED) and were able to get a pulse. Bertekap succeeded in opening an airway. More emergency teams kept arriving — the borough's public work crew, volunteer firefighters and first aid squad, and Monmouth County medics.
Public works and firefighters cleared snow and Williams, a painting contractor, was transported to Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch where doctors performed emergency surgery. Wappel opened his blocked artery and restored the function of his heart.
“The next morning when we checked on him, he was absolutely fine," said Wappel. In the days that followed, the Borough Council awarded Cole, Bertekap and Resnyk with certificates of valor while commending all emergency team members involved in the race to save a man's life.
"It was a tremendous team effort. I was very proud to be a part of the Oceanport community that day," said Barcus.
Williams is back at home and recovering his strength, he told the Press on Friday.
"Each day I'm getting a little bit better. My wife and I would like to thank everybody involved. It was an amazing response," said Williams.
Published in Asbury Park Press 2/27/16
Oceanport First Responders Honored For Saving Man's Life During Blizzard
A group of first responders who helped save a Comanche Dive resident's life during January's blizzard were honored during the Feb. 18 Oceanport Council meeting.
Police received a call of a man not breathing at 4:33 p.m. on Jan. 23. Patrolman William Resnyk, Officer Matthew Cole, Patrolman John Weir and Lt. Michael Kelly arrived on scene and the patient, Thomas Willams, was found not breathing and no pulse was detected.
CPR was initiated by Patrolman Resnyk and Officer Cole and an AED was set up and one shock was administered to Williams.
Oceanport firefighter and medic Jerry Bertekap arrived on scene and assisted with rescue breathing and was able to open an airway. Medic Unit 202 arrived and stabilized Williams.
Sgt. Michael Perrulli and Patrolman T.J. Manzo, the Oceanport First and Oceanport Fire Department arrived on scene and the fire department shoveled the front door area and applied salt. They also assisted with moving the patient into a stretcher. At this time, Oceanport First Aid medics transported the patient to Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch where he was admitted for further evaluation.
Cole, Bertekap and Resnyk were all given certificates of valor and all the other emergency personnel were also recognized by the mayor and council.
Published in Word on the Shore 2/19/16
Police received a call of a man not breathing at 4:33 p.m. on Jan. 23. Patrolman William Resnyk, Officer Matthew Cole, Patrolman John Weir and Lt. Michael Kelly arrived on scene and the patient, Thomas Willams, was found not breathing and no pulse was detected.
CPR was initiated by Patrolman Resnyk and Officer Cole and an AED was set up and one shock was administered to Williams.
Oceanport firefighter and medic Jerry Bertekap arrived on scene and assisted with rescue breathing and was able to open an airway. Medic Unit 202 arrived and stabilized Williams.
Sgt. Michael Perrulli and Patrolman T.J. Manzo, the Oceanport First and Oceanport Fire Department arrived on scene and the fire department shoveled the front door area and applied salt. They also assisted with moving the patient into a stretcher. At this time, Oceanport First Aid medics transported the patient to Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch where he was admitted for further evaluation.
Cole, Bertekap and Resnyk were all given certificates of valor and all the other emergency personnel were also recognized by the mayor and council.
Published in Word on the Shore 2/19/16