Video: University of Mississippi Health Officials Advise Zika Precautions

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – There are new cases of Zika virus in Mississippi this week. The Mississippi Department of Health announced two cases Monday in Prentiss county.

Although there haven’t been any locally-transmitted cases here, experts advise that people traveling to affected areas take safety measures.

Dr. Travis Yates is the director of University Health Services at the University of Mississippi. He emphasizes the added risk for pregnant women.

Those at Ole Miss that have studied the virus and suggest that anyone going to Miami or a Caribbean island should take precautions.

“You need to use insect repellent. You need to use long sleeves, long pants. If you’re outside, sleep in mosquito nets,” Yates said.

Zika infects people through mosquito bites and the virus can be sexually transmitted. About 80 percent of cases display either no symptoms or mild symptoms lasting from several days to a week.