As the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health and the State Health Officer, I am writing to share my concerns about Zika virus infection and to ask your help in preventing its spread in Georgia.

Travel warnings have been issued for dozens of countries and territories in the Caribbean, the Americas, Pacific Islands, and Mexico where there are ongoing outbreaks of Zika virus infection. As of this date, there are no reports of locally transmitted Zika cases in Georgia or anywhere in the United States, but cases have been reported in returning travelers.

Zika virus is transmitted primarily through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Both species are found in Georgia. Aedes mosquitoes are called "container breeders" because they lay eggs in any type of container with water – they will lay eggs in a bottle cap if it has water in it.

One of the most effective ways of preventing Zika virus from spreading is controlling the mosquito population. It is critical that after every rainfall, people Tip 'n Toss. Dump out standing water in flowerpots, planters, children's toys, old tires, and buckets around the home and in the yard. If it holds water and you don't need it, get rid of it. For containers without lids or that are too big to Tip 'N Toss (bird baths, garden pools), use larvicides such as mosquito dunks or mosquito torpedoes.

There are urgent health concerns about Zika virus infection and birth defects. Studies are underway to determine if there is a connection between Zika virus infection and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and other serious neurological disorders. Sexual transmission of Zika has also been documented. You can find Zika virus information at dph.ga.gov/zika or cdc.gov/zika.