Dr. Daniel Havlicheck, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases and professor of medicine at MSU, said it is important to know the species of mosquito that are infected with the Zika virus will not migrate to Michigan any time soon.

The species of mosquito that contains the virus is called Aedes aegypti.

Havlicheck said Michigan’s environment is not conducive to the survival of those mosquitoes.

“I don’t think it will morph into another strain of mosquitoes or morph into ticks or bed bugs,” Havlicheck said. “You’ll have to go look for it. The Zika virus won’t be coming here."

According to Havlicheck, the Zika virus can be contracted one of two ways. First, someone can contract the Zika virus when bitten by an infected mosquito. Second, it can be contracted sexually.

Havlicheck  said that the virus can be spread from semen or vaginal secretions, but it can be prevented with the use of a condom.

It is also important to know that for people who are not pregnant, the Zika virus is of no concern. Havlicheck said 80 percent of people who contract the virus are completely fine and are not even aware they have the virus.

The main concern of the Zika virus is not how it affects the average, healthy person, but how it can cause birth defects in unborn children.

Angela Minicuci, the communications director for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, or MDHHS, said if someone travels to a country with the Zika virus and then gets sick, he or she should go to a health care provider and get tested immediately.

“The symptoms are very similar to the cold or the flu,” Minicuci said. “The symptoms include fever, rash, red eyes and joint pain."

Those who should be concerned about the virus are pregnant women who are considering travelling to areas where the Zika virus is present, Minicuci said.

“It is strongly recommended to pregnant women to consider postponing their travels,” Minicuci said. “Men too should be careful if they are planning on having sex when they get back.”

If pregnant women contract the Zika virus, their child is at risk for the birth defect microcephaly.

“Microcephaly damages the brain,” Havlicheck said. “It doesn’t develop normally, it is not of normal size. There will be mental retardation, eye problems.”

Havlicheck said that the long-term effects of the Zika virus on the fetus are unknown, and it is unknown how long the child will survive.

“I suspect it might be like Down syndrome, where the children can live for 50 or 60 years,” Havlicheck said.

According to the MDHHS, the best way to avoid contracting the Zika virus until a vaccine comes out is to avoid mosquitoes.

“The vaccine for the Zika virus will be easier to come up with than HIV or herpes simplex virus, but it will still take years," Havlicheck said. "It will be a priority, though.”

According to the MDHHS website, to prevent mosquito bites be sure to wear clothes that cover legs, arms and feet, use insect repellent and stay in places that use window and door screens.