What is Zika virus?
Zika virus is closely related to
dengue fever and yellow fever. This virus spreads to humans mainly through the
bites of infected Aedes Mosquito. It
was first isolated from rhesus macaque monkey kept in cage in Zika forests of
Uganda in 1947 that is why the virus is named Zika virus. It was then in the year of 1952 that first
outbreak of this virus in humans were identified.
Zika fever and symptoms:
The vector of this disease is Aedes mosquito which is also responsible
for Dengue fever so most of the symptoms of Zika fever is like Dengue fever and
are quite mild symptoms. Although the symptoms are very mild and disappears by
themselves in about a week in most of the cases but in pregnant women it passes
to next generation causing damage to the brain in several babies and also a
disease called microcephaly.
In adults although it is responsible
for Guillain-Barré syndrome an uncommon disease of nervous system.
Diagnosis is generally done by testing of blood, urine or
even saliva for presence of Zika virus RNA. Infection of Zika virus may also be
suspected considering recent travel history of the patient
Mode of transmission:
The primary mode of transmission is
bite by Aedes mosquito which bites primarily during early morning or late
evening. This is the same mosquito which is responsible for dengue fever,
chikungunya or yellow fever.
This disease
may also be transmitted during sexual contacts from one infected partner to
another. Primarily it is transferred from an infected male to a normal female
but it hasn’t been confirmed yet that whether an infected female can act as
mode of transmission for a normal male.
This disease
can also be transmitted during blood transfusion. An infected person’s blood if
donated may result in Zika fever in recipients. Two such case have been
identified as of April, 2016.
Vaccine:
The patients affected from this virus
generally show no symptoms or mild symptoms. However if tests show infection
with Zika virus, the patient should take a lot of fluids, complete rest and may
have common pain killers. If the problem persists, patient should seek medical
care. Although there is no vaccine for Zika virus till date.
Prevention:
Protection
against mosquito bites is a key measure to prevent Zika virus infection. This
can be done by wearing clothes (preferably light-colored) that cover as much of the body as
possible; using physical barriers such as window screens or closing doors and
windows; sleeping under mosquito nets; and using insect repellent. Special attention and help should be given to those who may not be
able to protect themselves adequately, such as young children, the sick or
elderly. Travelers and those living in affected areas should take the basic
precautions described above to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
It is important to cover, empty
or clean potential mosquito breeding sites in and around houses such as
buckets, drums, pots, gutters, and used tyres. Communities should support local
government efforts to reduce mosquitoes in their locality.
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