Zika Virus Comes to the U.S.: What You Should Know

Facts surrounding the latest global health scare.

Outbreak - The Zika virus, a mosquito-spread illness that has been spreading throughout Latin America since May 2015, has made its way to U.S. soil and to Spain, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. BET.com runs down what you should know about the illness. (Photo: AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File)

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Outbreak - The Zika virus, a mosquito-spread illness that has been spreading throughout Latin America since May 2015, has made its way to U.S. soil and to Spain, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. BET.com runs down what you should know about the illness. (Photo: AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File)

ZIKA VIRUS

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Where Have Cases of Zika Been Found - Zika was found in Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands but later spread to Brazil in May 2015. Since the virus has has been found in Mexico, Brazil, Columbia, Bolivia, the Dominican Republic and other countries in the Americas. (Photo: AP Photo/F. Duckett)

How Is It Spreading?  - Authorities tracking the virus say that it is being carried by travelers who are bringing the disease back with them from Latin American countries. The first case found in Europe was a woman who has just visited Columbia. In Dallas, a patient had caught the virus after having sex with someone who had recently returned from Venezuela. There has been three cases confirmed in Washington, D.C., one a pregnant woman, Fox5 reports.Zika is spread primarily by mosquito bites.(Photo: AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

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How Is It Spreading?  - Authorities tracking the virus say that it is being carried by travelers who are bringing the disease back with them from Latin American countries. The first case found in Europe was a woman who has just visited Columbia. In Dallas, a patient had caught the virus after having sex with someone who had recently returned from Venezuela. There has been three cases confirmed in Washington, D.C., one a pregnant woman, Fox5 reports.Zika is spread primarily by mosquito bites.(Photo: AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Symptoms - The following symptoms of the Zika virus will develop in one of five people: fever, rash, joint pain, red eyes, muscle pain and headache, according to the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus lasts for several days and people do not usually die from the virus. (Photo: AP Photo/Inti Ocon, File)

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Symptoms - The following symptoms of the Zika virus will develop in one of five people: fever, rash, joint pain, red eyes, muscle pain and headache, according to the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus lasts for several days and people do not usually die from the virus. (Photo: AP Photo/Inti Ocon, File)

Harms of Zika Virus - The photo above shows a baby that has been infected with microcephaly. The illness causes a birth defect in infants, causing their heads to grow much smaller than they should. There have been reports of Brazilian mothers who were infected with Zika while they were pregnant and whose babies were born with microcephaly. Pregnant woman are being advised to use caution when traveling to countries that currently have a Zika outbreak. Also, they are being urged not to get pregnant at all to avoid the risk of having a baby with the birth defect.  (Photo: AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File)

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Harms of Zika Virus - The photo above shows a baby that has been infected with microcephaly. The illness causes a birth defect in infants, causing their heads to grow much smaller than they should. There have been reports of Brazilian mothers who were infected with Zika while they were pregnant and whose babies were born with microcephaly. Pregnant woman are being advised to use caution when traveling to countries that currently have a Zika outbreak. Also, they are being urged not to get pregnant at all to avoid the risk of having a baby with the birth defect.  (Photo: AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File)

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Treatment - The virus is usually treated as you may treat the common cold. The CDC suggests resting and drinking fluids and taking Tylenol to relieve fever and pain. There is currently no vaccine to treat it.(Photo: AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco)

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Treatment - The virus is usually treated as you may treat the common cold. The CDC suggests resting and drinking fluids and taking Tylenol to relieve fever and pain. There is currently no vaccine to treat it.(Photo: AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco)

Photo By Photo: AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco

Prevention - The key to avoiding the virus is to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes as best as possible. Individuals should wear long-sleeved shirts and pants and wear insect repellent.(Photo: AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

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Prevention - The key to avoiding the virus is to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes as best as possible. Individuals should wear long-sleeved shirts and pants and wear insect repellent.(Photo: AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

Photo By Photo: AP Photo/Jorge Saenz