News

Department’s #ZapZika Campaign Ongoing

A state Health Department public education campaign is underway to explain the risk of the Zika virus to pregnant women, healthcare providers and those considering travel to Zika-impacted areas.

As part of the #ZapZika campaign, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Arturo Brito — a bilingual pediatrician — will meet with clients, pregnant women and staff at the Atlantic City WIC office on Aug. 17. The event will begin at noon at 139 N. Iowa Ave, Atlantic City.

Health Commissioner Cathleen Bennett kicked off the campaign in March at Montclair State University. The Commissioner and top physicians at the Department have visited community health centers, hospitals, professional medical societies and other venues to raise awareness of the Zika virus. The campaign also includes radio public service announcements in English and Spanish, along with NJ Transit bus advertising encouraging pregnant women to avoid travel to Zika-affected area and travelers to prevent mosquito bites by using insect repellent and wearing long sleeves and pants. As part of the campaign, the Department has established a Zika hotline for providers and the public available at 1-800-962-1253.

For more information, visit the Department’s Zika webpage at nj.gov/health/cd/zika/ or CDC’s Zika website at cdc.gov/zika.

Follow the New Jersey Department of Health on Twitter at twitter.com/NJDeptofHealth and on Facebook at facebook.com/NJDeptofHealth.