Zika Virus
Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus first identified in Uganda in 1947 in rhesus macaque monkeys, followed by evidence of human infections in other African countries in the 1950s.
From the 1960s to the 1980s, human epidemics were identified in Africa and Asia. However, since 2007, Zika virus infections have been recorded in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific.
Zika virus is not known to be fatal, but it can be serious if the symptoms of the disease are not treated early. So far, Zika has not spread much in India, but if it is not controlled, it could lead to an outbreak in some cities.
Zika virus is detected in humans by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test but so far, no vaccine has been developed to fully prevent infection.
History about the Zika virus
1947 – Researchers studying yellow fever in Uganda first identify the Zika virus in monkeys.
1952 – The first human cases were diagnosed in Uganda and Tanzania.
1969 to 1983 – Cases were identified in Asia, but there were no major outbreaks and mild symptoms.
2007 – The first human outbreak occurs in Micronesia on the island of Yap. Before this outbreak, only 14 Zika infections had been recorded worldwide.
2013 to 2014 – Outbreaks in four other Pacific island regions.
2015 – Brazil notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of a skin outbreak of unknown origin affecting approximately 7,000 people in the southeastern state. In May, Brazil detects the first case of Zika. Travel-related Zika cases are emerging in the United States
2016 – In February, the WHO declared the spread of Zika causing microcephaly and other neurological diseases a public health emergency of international concern. This declaration puts countries on alert to do everything possible to identify, isolate and treat infected people; prevent delivery; and helping other countries with weak health systems. In August, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a preventive measure in Miami-Dade County, Florida, after detecting a mosquito-borne disease. Limited regional coverage is also reported in Texas. In November, the WHO raises the designation of international emergency, although officials insist that the disease remains a global public health threat in the tropics.
2017 – In June, the CDC lifted the Miami-Dade County warning with no new cases of Zika.
2018 – The number of known infections is low worldwide, with no reports of Zika virus transmission from mosquitoes in the United States.
2019 – Several vaccines enter the second phase of clinical trials. 2020 – Ohio State University publishes a new Zika virus study that has implications for the novel coronavirus and the disease caused by the coronavirus, COVID-19. “New risks like Zika or the coronavirus can cause some people to react differently than known risks like cancer or the flu,” Shelly Hovick, who – said the author and assistant professor of communication at Ohio State University. “Even if the data shows that someone is at low risk, the lack of information can make some people think they are at high risk.”
Symptoms of the Zika virus
Symptoms are usually mild in the Zika virus, and 1 in five people show signs of infection. However, it is considered dangerous for pregnant women and their fetuses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to update the list of affected areas, so pregnant women should avoid traveling to these areas.
Signs and symptoms of the Zika virus often include:
- A little fever
- An explosion
- Joint pain, especially in the hands or feet
- Red eyes (conjunctivitis)
Other signs and symptoms may include:
- Nerve pain
- Headache
- sore eyes
- Fatigue or a general feeling of discomfort
- Abdominal pain
Zika virus: quick facts
Here are the top facts about the Zika virus you should know:
- It is usually spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes, but it is also sexually transmitted.
- The best way to prevent Zika is to avoid mosquitoes.
- Pregnant women should take steps to protect themselves and their pregnancies.
- Zika is linked to birth defects.
- Even if they are not sick, infected travelers can spread the virus
When you go to the doctor
See your doctor if you think you or a member of your family may have the Zika virus, especially if you have recently traveled to an area with an ongoing outbreak. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a blood test to look for the Zika virus and other mosquito-borne viruses. If you are pregnant and have recently traveled to an area where the Zika virus is common, ask your doctor if you should be tested, even if you have no symptoms.
Anyone who has visited or lives in an area where the Zika virus is endemic should be tested if symptoms of infection appear. This is especially true if you are pregnant. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages every asymptomatic pregnant woman to be tested two to 12 weeks after returning from an infected area. People with symptoms should be tested immediately. If you live in a rare area, you will need to be tested at your first antenatal visit and two more times during your pregnancy.
It is important to remember that a mosquito bite does not mean that your baby will be born with a disability. Even in northeastern Brazil, the area where the 2016 Zika outbreak was severe, the risk of microcephaly in affected women ranged from 1% to 13%.
While the Zika virus should cause concern, it should not cause panic. With the right precautions, you and your family can greatly reduce the risk of infection whether you are at home or abroad.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for the Zika virus. To help reduce symptoms, get plenty of rest and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. The over-the-counter (OTC) medicine acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can help reduce joint pain and fever.
Symptoms of the Zika virus are similar to those of other mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue fever. If you feel sick after recently traveling to an area where mosquito-borne diseases are common, see your doctor. Do not use ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve), or aspirin until your doctor has ruled out dengue fever. These medications can increase the chance of a serious problem from the fogue’s fire.
Prevention
There is currently no vaccine to protect against Zika. Avoiding mosquitoes today is important to avoid transmission. To improve safety, people are advised to:
- use insect repellent
wear long sleeves and pants
put a mosquito net on the bed (in some cases)
use glass on windows and doors
avoid standing water by splashing or choose to camp away from lakes or ponds
Bug hunters must have one of the following: - DEET (concentration > 10%)
picaridin
IR3535
lemon eucalyptus oil (ie para-menthane-diol)
Pesticides are most effective when applied: - when applying sunscreen
on clothes and on the body, for example, clothes that use permethrin
under the clothes
