Zika Virus: Four Myths and What You Need to Know

The Zika virus pandemic has grown to a global health concern. As world health leaders learn more about the mosquito-borne virus that causes birth defects such as microcephaly, more misinformation, especially on the internet, circulates.

Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group Director Dr. Gregory Poland is leading a team to create the first vaccine to help prevent the stop of the virus. He says researchers are working behind the scenes to learn more about the virus, and it's important for the public to be careful where they are getting their information.

Here are top four myths about Zika virus:

Conspiracy theory. Wrong. — Dr. Poland says that's silliness.
No need for worry. Wrong. — Dr. Poland says that would be untrue. We need to stay informed.
We understand this virus. Wrong. — Dr. Poland says that there is a lot to learn about this virus.
United States not at risk. Wrong. — Dr. Poland says almost certainly we will see Zika in the United States. The mosquito that carries this virus is found along the southern rim of the US and up the northeast corridor. He says it is a matter of time.
Dr. Poland says, "This is a virus of considerable concern. It is a virus we are learning a lot about so we cannot tell what all the ramifications are going to be. For reasons we do not understand, this is a virus that is causing severe abnormalities in unborn children and that's unusual for a mosquito-borne virus."

Dr. Poland urges us all to get our information from credible sources such as from the Mayo Clinc and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He says the best thing we can do is, "be informed and use common sense."