The actual presentation will be available for download in 48 hours, but here are the highlights that you may share immediately with your stakeholders:

• The Aedes Aegypti mosquito that carries Zika virus also carries Dengue.

• Mosquito is a day biter, so precautions must be taken around the clock, not just dusk and dawn hours.

• This mosquito loves dark color containers, such as manmade containers and planters, tires, drums, etc.

• Lives also in Bromeliad trees because they have stores of water between the leaves.

• Only needs a teaspoon of water in which to lay eggs.

• It lays eggs in close proximity to households because they are the blood source. The more blood they consumer, the more eggs they can lay.

• Eggs will be found typically in storm drains, septic tanks, and wells – anywhere there is standing water.
  

• The virus is a disease with mild symptoms, similar to dengue -- fever, conjunctivitis, headache and rash starting on face and chest.

• Dangerous for pregnant women as it is believed to have caused small head circumference in cases of babies born in Brazil to mothers who had the virus. This is still under investigation, as are the cases in Texas where the virus appears to have been spread via sexual transmission.

• Personal prevention and mosquito control are the ways to combat Zika virus.

• Pregnant women should be educated about the virus, take special observant precautions and are advised to check with their health care providers.

• There is no treatment or vaccine for the Zika virus.
  

• Repellant that contains DEET is the best method, otherwise lemon eucalyptus oil, which is eco-friendly but does not offer the same protection.

• Re-apply repellant frequently. Spray ankles and elbows as these mosquitoes attack from behind. Spray clothing as well as skin.

• Wear closed shoes, not flip flops or sandals.

• Provide guests with repellant at check-in.

• Dress in long sleeved shirts and light pants.

• Wear light colors as the mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors.

• Sleep under mosquito netting. Mosquito netting is also important for those infected with the virus so that it is not continuously passed from person to person.
  

• Conduct full inspection and mapping of potential mosquito breeding grounds

• Identify all potential breeding areas and control the sources.

• Remove all standing water.

• Repair leaks and secure all water sources. Tires, tarps and tanks are all breeding places.

• Check gutters as these are prime breeding spaces and people don’t think to look up.

• Check for depressions in gutters where water may collect.

• Have a mason fill in all possible gaps.

• Replace Bromeliads with Bougainvillea.

• Pour salt into water you are unable to drain. Regular table salt (using as much as you can) will kill larvae and cause mosquitoes to be unable to breed there. Salt is not dangerous to grass.

• Pour salt into crab and tree holes.

• Use guppies (fish) in planters or small ponds. They eat mosquitos.

• Keep ground clean of debris.

• Remove grass cuttings directly after landscaping so that cutting don’t get into drains.

• Schedule regular drain cleanings
  

• Fogging is most effective overall and best to be handled by professionals. It gets chemicals in all points and tight spaces

• Misting allows chemicals to rest on plant surfaces, although not as thick.

• Special Traps are very effective and highly recommended. Visit in2care.org for trap whose development was funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

• Aquatain AMF is a physical barrier. It is a film put onto water surfaces that drowns mosquitoes and is a “green” product solution.
  

• Create a Safety Zone around the property.

• Conduct daily inspections and patrols of known breeding grounds carrying salt buckets to plug holes

• Weekly drain cleaning

• Scrub planters and water containers after dumping out water; eggs can cling to sides of container for up to six months after water removal.

• Clean flower vases.

• Store empty beer bottles upside down in crates when you send them back to bottlers to make sure no fluid collects.

• Start a Grounds Management Action Group that involves maintenance, landscaping and management staff.

• Report on daily walks to keep updated on progress and address all problems quickly

• Provide basic orientation about the Zika Virus and provide updates

• Provide health and safety guidelines that staff should be encouraged to also practice in their homes

• Design protocol in case Zika virus case is reported.
  

• Communicate “we’re all in this together.”

• Share information with local community and community health organizations.

• Institute community clean-up campaigns to rid breeding habitats

• Have public sector and private sector working together; Collaboration and coordination are essential to fight Zika.