 Good morning, and thanks for joining us on Facebook live for our latest town hall discussion today We are talking about the Zika virus how concerned should Pennsylvanians be and what the wolf administration is doing to prevent the spread of Zika which is of particular concern for Pregnant women or those planning to become pregnant. So joining us today is Health Secretary Dr. Karen Murphy Physician General Dr. Rachel Levine Dr. Sharon Watkins Epidemiology Bureau Director for the Department of Health Dr. Lauren Robinson Deputy Secretary for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention for the Department of Health Patrick McDonald acting Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and Andy Kyle DEP's Environmental Program Manager. Welcome to you all. Thanks for being here So today our panel is taking your questions posted from Governor Wolf's Facebook page about the Zika virus But before we start with that I'd like Dr. Murphy and Secretary McDonald to each give sort of a brief overview of why this topic is so important And how each of their departments are being proactive to address it. So Dr. Murphy will start with you. Thank you Megan And thanks for having us here today Now that summer is well underway. So is mosquito season So we have diseases that are associated it with mosquitoes particularly Zika this year to To monitor so the wolf administration takes this threat very seriously We have developed a plan with Secretary McDonald and the Department of Environmental Protection Along with the Department of Health today, you'll hear from the Department of Health experts in Zika We have published the our plan on our website and your the participants here are free to go on the website to take a look at that and To heed The information and the warnings that are that are on our plan The Department of Health not only is working with DEP, but with the Center for Disease Control We are provided with almost daily updates from the Center for Disease Control and we will keep Our our information on our website current according to that we currently have 36 cases reported all of Those who had visited Affected countries, we don't have any local transmission as of yet, but we will be aggressively monitoring this throughout the season Thank you and Secretary McDonald sure and Excited to be here and explain The department's role in the Zika prevention Campaign our primary role is mosquito surveillance monitoring. We've done that for many years primarily related to West Nile virus But now we're doing it in addition for the Zika virus There's two types of mosquitoes that can transmit the virus one of them is fairly common within the state another We haven't seen for for over 10 years now within the state, but we are monitoring for both There's a number of things that that people can do to prevent Mosquitoes and we can talk a little more about those as we go through through the day Thank you both. All right. Well to get started. I think we should just sort of Go into like what is Zika virus and how is it spread? So Dr. Watkins? I'd like to start with you You could just give us a quick, you know, what is Zika? Sure? Zika virus is one of the viruses that is transmitted by a mosquito Pennsylvania's are familiar with this type of with a mosquito transmitted virus. We have West Nile virus here in Pennsylvania Now how is Zika spread is a little different than West Nile virus? most Transmission of Zika occurs because an infected mosquito bites. I mean a Mosquito bites an infected person and then rebites another person However, it can also be transmitted from an infected male to a sexual partner It can be transmitted by a pregnant woman to her baby at the time of delivery or during pregnancy And then we also worry about blood blood transmission during blood products And I guess also this is an obvious but is Zika virus dangerous and I think you know for some Maybe not but for those that are expecting it can be devastating as we've seen in the news absolutely Most Zika viruses infections are asymptomatic. So 80% of individuals who are infected have no symptoms at all And the symptoms are fairly mild. So they're things like a rash or a fever some joint pain or a headache However, we are concerned about pregnant women and that's that's where why we're really talking today because there are birth defects that are associated with this Microcephaly we've all heard about that in the news, but some other central nervous system defects that the child Could be born with We're also concerned about a neurological disorder called Guillain-Barre syndrome and that has been associated as well Okay Let's get to some Facebook questions and Sarah asks this and I think Dr. Watkins if you could take this one as well with the CDC's updated map showing a low potential for Zika outbreaks in Pennsylvania How high do you believe the risk is for Pennsylvania residents? You know that that's a that's a tough question I mean we believe that there is a low to moderate risk But certainly not zero and Pennsylvania does have as Secretary Murphy said 36 travel associated cases And we do have a competent vector. So the risk is not zero and we were taking all the appropriate actions we need to And does the risk vary throughout the state? The risk would vary throughout the state and it varies by the density of the vectors Which I'm sure the our colleagues are going to talk about it varies by the amount of travelers who are coming into that area who may be carrying the virus with them and Just you know varying by the amount of standing water and the amount of time people are outside And another question from Sarah and dr. Robinson if you could take this one She asks do we really need to take precautions and change our lifestyle to avoid infection or is the likelihood of contracting the virus? So low for Pennsylvania residents that we really don't need to take extreme measures That's a great question So I think it's really important for people to take precautions to protect themselves against mosquitoes not only for the Zika virus But also because we know that we have West Nile virus here The main risk right now to Pennsylvanians is for folks who are traveling to areas that have High levels of the Zika virus again We do not have any local transmission in the state of Pennsylvania and the United States at this point So it's important for people to take precautions when they're traveling and to wear deat when they're outside So that's wearing an insect repellent when you go outside and that's something that folks should be doing pretty much any time It's mosquito season and so I wouldn't call those extreme measures But it is important to protect yourself and know what your risks are and this just came in my head But deat is is has been deemed a safe Repellent for pregnant women. Yes, and that's a great question So deat is not only safe for kind of everybody in the general public but for pregnant women For children who are playing outside deat is approved and is safe for people to use Let's take some questions over to D. E. P. Lauren asks. Are there approved mosquito preventions? That are more likely to prevent Zika from spreading sure and I think along the lines of the last answer It's it's we focus on mosquito prevention generally Because that reduces the likelihood of Zika transmitting so there are a lot of simple things you can do I mean, I think most people don't aren't aware the type of mosquito. We're talking about here only travels Within 50 yards of its aquatic habitat. So it it matters that you know, if you see the mosquito It's coming from your yard or your neighbor's yard. So anything you can do to reduce standing water If you have an ornamental pool and it's you don't have fish in it or aerate it You know make sure you address that Even things, you know, I have kids you leave out the kids toys It collects a little rainwater in it that can be that can be a place that that water collects So it's making sure that you're reducing the those kinds of Opportunities for the mosquitoes to breed and thrive. Okay What about like spraying your yard? Is that a is that something you can do or do you recommend that? You can use EPA approved Insect insecticides we make sure make sure you're following all the instructions on the labels Read any warnings on those labels But there's a number of products that are available At local hardware stores and other places that that can help address Avoiding that standing water is probably the biggest one. You avoid the problem entirely if you get rid of the standing water Okay, and then David asks is it possible to test for Zika in mosquitoes or in animals such as birds as the state Does with West Nile if so is the state doing that? I'll turn it over to Andy Kyle to answer part of that in a minute, but the the key part is the difference between West Nile and Zika is The mosquitoes get get the West Nile virus from birds And then transmit it to humans here. You're talking about Zika being in humans Mosquito getting it from human and then another human you know another human getting it from that mosquito as as the vector So right now what we're testing for is just the presence of a mosquito that could be a Zika carrying mosquito We're not at this point testing for Zika itself in the mosquitoes Andy, I don't know if you want to add Not you've said pretty much what we need to say We will be testing the mosquitoes in our lab For Zika. We won't be testing any birds or any of the other animals that's mentioned in the in the question so Dr. Levine we have a question from Linda Marie She says would you recommend that every woman who is thinking about trying to conceive undergo a screening test to determine if they've been Exposed to Zika prior to getting pregnant. Thank you for that question No, we would not recommend that women who are thinking about getting pregnant get screened For the Zika virus really most women in Pennsylvania will not have been exposed to this virus and the current tests are really only appropriate for recent exposure If you have traveled however to an area with ongoing Zika transmission We do recommend that you talk with your health care provider and consider postponing pregnancy for at least at least eight weeks after travel Okay, and then following up also from Linda Marie if a woman has been exposed to Zika before pregnancy How long is the virus active in the body? I think you sort of just addressed that but what what is the recommended length of time to wait before trying to conceive? Okay, sure. Well the current evidence that states that people would have the virus for around seven to ten days If they contract it and women should wait at least eight weeks from exposure time For instance, if they travel to a Zika affected area before trying to get pregnant It's also important to remember that Zika can be sexually transmitted So if their partner has traveled to a Zika area transmission and then had symptoms They actually they should wait for at least six months before trying to get pregnant Also from Linda Marie and Dr. Robertson if you could address this one She says do we know anything about with regard to becoming pregnant after exposure to Zika virus and does the body create? Anabodies that prevent reinfection. That's a great question. So based on the available scientific information we have up to today we think that as a Woman gets exposed to the virus her body mounts the response and she recovers she gets better Like with other viruses she will develop some type of immune response so that if she gets exposed in the future She wouldn't get as sick or wouldn't have symptoms We don't know if these are antibodies. We're not really sure what this means and and I think a follow-up question We don't know what that means going forward So a woman could have the Zika virus get better and feel completely fine But we don't know today what that means for her future pregnancies Okay, and then one more she Linda asks in essence if a woman becomes pregnant after Contracting the virus and recovering from it. Can she contract the virus again during her pregnancy or even after her pregnancy? Putting her unborn baby at risk So she could contact the virus again We wouldn't know what her response to that virus would be or her response to the Zika virus would be at that time And we wouldn't know what her risk would be to our unborn baby I think this this is all information that will be forthcoming and that folks should definitely Get the latest information from the Pennsylvania Department of Health website And the CDC is really good about providing updates about the Zika virus as they come to know this information And I think like your your your physician is is staying in touch with the CDC as well So if you have those quite right you can go and ask them as well Okay, and then okay, so this is one that's on I think a lot of people's mind with the summer Olympics coming up Emily Rose asks what does the Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Protection think of? Pennsylvania residents traveling to Rio for the Olympics due to the overwhelming number of Zika outbreaks that are originating in Brazil. Dr. Murphy So the CDC's recommendation Recommendations include pregnant women should not go to the Olympics So those that are already pregnant we are also encouraging anyone who is attending the Olympics to Exercise the caution the precautions that we've spelled out here today because we think it's very important You know, I remind everyone that this is a relatively new Disease that we're chained. We're finding out new information about it on a daily basis and I think our advice is precaution and and particularly in those that are planning to have children both male and and female Does DEP have a thought on that on the Olympics? I mean that's when we definitely deferred our colleagues at the Department of Health We have a little bit of extra time here I mean what what haven't our Facebook viewers asked that you think is important to get out to? Pennsylvanians regarding Zika I Think they it's very important to understand the the county health departments across the Commonwealth and Municipal County of Municipal Health Departments are also working on Zika prevention the Department of Health is preparing to to Supply some areas with Zika kits for those that may not have those available to prevent As a preventative as a preventative measure and we will continue the biggest Initiative we have right now is education We have that we launched airport sign signage So those coming in from the affected countries would understand what the implications are and we will continue to educate our 12 million Pennsylvanians so that we can present you we can hopefully prevent the disease from Spreading I think it's also you mentioned it important to emphasize for people to keep in contact if they have questions with their Health care providers with their physicians or other health care providers the Department of Health has put out numerous health alerts To the medical providers in the state Also, I know that the American College of OBGYN Have had weekly alerts to their to their members because obstetrician gynecologists are obviously the health care providers that would need to stay informed so We've been in contact in other Health care authorities have been in contact with their physicians and health care providers So if you have a question in addition to coming to our website or the cdc website contact your health care provider for information That note that individuals who have concerns Should definitely get in touch with their health care providers sooner than later because testing for the virus has a limited window And you want to catch you know catch it in that window. So it's important that they Immediately seek their physicians advice Who gets tested if so I think the CDC says if you've traveled and then you're pregnant and you think you were exposed Is that correct? You're able to get that not everybody can get the test. It's a very complicated algorithm but so To keep it a little simple. I mean if you've traveled or If you if you're pregnant and you've traveled You should be tested if you're pregnant and you have a partner who has traveled who is symptomatic you should be tested and All others there are some Decision marks that that we go through and we have an algorithm that will be is on our website And we are updating that so who who then like is it that you would see your primary care or your OBGYN And they would decide to order a test if need be many times They're consulting with the Department of Health to walk through what test, you know, what test should be ordered when and what's appropriate Okay Anything else? Yeah? Yeah Summer look like Hot right No, I mean Can't stress enough again from from the standpoint of mosquitoes for a variety of reasons Zika being one the prevention element Reduction of standing water the other things we we say are if you need to be outside where Try to cover as much skin as possible, which I know it can be a challenge in the heat, but loose light, you know light clothing Use EPA approved insect repellents to try to prevent Mosquitoes from biting and then in even inside the house remember if you have a hole in your screen That's a pathway for a mosquito to get into your house So make sure you're repairing screens use air conditioning because they like the heat they like being outside so Using air conditioning in your home can help reduce so anything you can do to both prevent Mosquitoes from breeding but then prevent the bites Is what we focus on you talk a little bit more for those who are just tuning in also You mentioned earlier in our panel about the mosquitoes this specific type of mosquito that carries the virus doesn't go outside of a 50 mile radius Sure, so no 50 yard 50 yard 50 yard radius from its aquatic habitat So they breed within standing water, which is why it's important to aerate a pond or you know if you have tarps toys Whatever outside that's collecting water That you're getting rid of that But once they breed I mean the they exist their their entire life they exist within 50 yards of Where they came from in terms of that Asian Tiger? Mosquito which is the one we're concerned about Within the state so if if you're seeing the mosquito Chances are it came from your yard or a neighbor's yard It's it's not something that's coming from half a mile a quarter mile down the street Is there a concern moving forward and this is probably on the national level, but if somebody is infected and then it comes from a different country and then is is bit by a mosquito here because there are some states that have those Mosquitoes correct the the the carrier of the so there are two mosquitoes that are primarily involved one is Sometimes called the yellow fever mosquito that would be as the secretary mentioned Extremely unusual in Pennsylvania has not been seen since the early 2000s The other is the Asian Tiger mosquito has a fancier scientific name and we do see that in Pennsylvania every year and The EP is is finding that as we would expect in Pennsylvania now you outlined exactly the concern if someone was from another country that came from the South America or Central America or Caribbean and actually has the virus and the mosquito bites them and then bites somebody else that would be how it's Transmitted so that really is the basis of all of our precautions is that we want people who've traveled from around the country Since like Central and Central and South America to take a lot of mosquito precautions when they come back And we want everyone to take the precautions that have outlined to prevent that That transmission by those mosquito bites and that hasn't happened Okay, but that's the concern and that's what the prevention is all about. That's correct. Okay, so it's complicated. Yeah. Yeah any closing just remarks about Pennsylvania and what our administration is doing to you know kind of keep our finger on the pulse of all of this just kind of reiterating what each department is doing So the Department of Health is we are addressing the Zika virus on a daily basis in Pennsylvania We developed the collaboration with DEP we have Continual contact with DEP to review. What is the current status and what are our plans? the wolf administration began to plan for Zika back in January We've held Exercises that we are preparing if should there be an outbreak of several individuals several different departments So the Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Protection and the wolf administration are Covering this this virus and What it means to Pennsylvania on a daily basis? No, I think that's exactly right. I mean is as was mentioned earlier. We developed the Zika plan for response In collaboration with Department of Health I think that lays out appropriate steps for both departments to take depending on what we're actually seeing on the ground in terms of Where we're finding the virus how much we're finding Where we're finding mosquitoes how many mosquitoes we're finding so as as information changes the response will change But we've developed an appropriate level of response in appropriate steps to go through as the situation changes, but Yeah Okay, well I unless anyone else has anything else that we I think we covered it we got it we got it done quickly too Thank you all so much for being here today. I really appreciate it and I think that our Facebook viewers Also greatly appreciate the information So we just want to make sure that you know that Governor Wolf is on Facebook as well as Twitter and To continue receiving information on the Zika plan here in Pennsylvania and prevention Please continue to tune in to his social media feeds as well as again Department of Health has a whole host of information on their website. Thanks so much for joining us