What is zika virus?

The Zika virus has arrived in the United States this summer with local transmission pronounced in and around Miami, FL, and, most these days, suspected cases near Brownsville, TX.

The virus causes birth defects in toddlers born to some infected pregnant ladies, along with microcephaly, where infants are born with underdeveloped heads and damaged mind. Zika has also been related to Guillain-Barre syndrome, a situation in which the immune device attacks the nerves. It’s, in particular, unfold via mosquitoes, despite the fact that some instances of sexual transmission were suggested.

On December 9th, the CDC lifted its ultimate Florida journey advisory for pregnant ladies, for an area of south Miami Beach. However, the CDC advises pregnant ladies to “take into account postponing tour” to regions wherein nearby transmission has been said, along with South Florida and Brownsville, TX, close to the Mexican border.

In addition, the CDC has issued tour warnings for pregnant ladies in international locations in which the ailment is spreading. Zika is an epidemic related to the West Nile, yellow fever, and dengue viruses it really is passed on by and large by way of the crew of an inflamed Aedes mosquito. “A character bit with the aid of a mosquito that has the virus afterward becomes viremic. They get bitten by another mosquito, which then passes the virus alongside,” explains Peter Jay Hotez, MD, Ph.D., dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

The Zika virus also can be sexually transmitted, notes the CDC. Men inflamed with Zika have handed it directly to both girl and male partners, and the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report cited in July that “the primary stated occurrence of girl-to-male sexual transmission of Zika virus” seemed to have come about in New York City.

If your partner has or had Zika, or traveled to a place wherein Zika is spreading, condom use is counseled for eight weeks to six months.

Zika virus is a fatal avi virus. It comes from the same family as the virus which causes yellow fever. It has alarming connection with a neurological disorder that results in babies being born with abnormally small heads

The Zika virus is also being transmitted locally in Barbados, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin, Suriname, Samoa, the US Virgin Islands and Venezuela.Brazil has the highest rate of transmission.

Zika virus was first isolated in 1947, in a rhesus monkey at Uganda's Zika Forest. The World Health Organisation says the symptoms are usually mild and normally last two to seven days. About one in five people infected with the virus become ill. Zika virus usually remains in the blood of an infected person for about a week. Symptoms are similar to dengue and chikungunya and include:

Transmission

• They are usually active during day time.
•  Incubation period is between two and seven days.
• Zika mosquitoes live around buildings in urban areas.
• The Zika virus is transmitted to humans through mosquitoes.
• Transmission happens from a pregnant mother to her child too.
• Peak biting activity occurs in the early mornings and late afternoons.
• Virus can be transmitted through blood transfusion and sexual transmission

Symptoms:

• Digestive problems and constipation.
• Illness is mild with symptoms lasting for a week.
• Low grade fever (less than 38.5 degree Celsius).
• Around 1 in 5 people infected with Zika virus become ill.
• Other symptoms are rash, joint pain, red eye, muscle pain and headache.

Diagnosis:

• If you have travelled recently, a check-up is inevitable.
• Symptoms of Zika are similar to dengue and chikungunya.
• This may include blood, urine and saliva tests to look for the virus.
• See the doctor if you develop any of the symptoms described above.

Treatment:

• Get plenty of rest.
• Take medicines to reduce fever.
• Drink fluids to prevent dehydration.
• There's no vaccine/antiviral drug treatment for Zika yet.

Tips for Prevention:

• Checking adult mosquito numbers.
• Reducing the breeding of mosquitoes.
• Cutting contact between mosquitoes and people.
• Space spraying of insecticides during outbreak recommended.
• Using barriers like repellents, insect screens, closed doors and windows.
• People travelling to high-risk areas must avoid the trip and take few precautions

Zika virus is a disease spread by the bite of a mosquito called Aedes mosquitoes; the virus is named after the Zika forests of Uganda where it was first reported. 

The Zika virus was earlier supposed to affect only the Asian and African countries. But suddenly the virus spread to the western countries, including the north and South America, from where the virus came into notice. In the year 2015-16, several cases of Zika virus were recorded. The outbreak of Zika virus was reported in Brazil in the year 2015. The virus also affects the pregnant women and in turns the fetus, which results in severe birth defects.

Zika virus is transmitted from an infected person to another by sexual contact, blood transfusion, from mother to unborn baby. The symptoms of the virus are:

·         Fever

·         Skin rashes

·         Headaches

·         Joint pain

·         Conjunctivitis

Countries affected: 

·         The entire South America

·         USA, Mexico

·         Caribbean islands

·         Pacific islands

The government of the unaffected countries released a warning to pregnant women to cancel or postpone their trips to the affected countries. The airport authorities of various countries were put on alert to look for any patient affected by Zika virus.

Treatment of Zika virus:

There is no vaccine invented for Zika virus. Doctors suggest taking paracetamol to reduce fever and patients are advised not to take aspirin. However, a few precautions can be taken, do not physically come in contact with the person affected by Zika Virus. Avoid journey to the countries which are affected by the virus. Be cautious in the clinics or hospitals where the patients of the virus are admitted. 

Women who were not pregnant and were planning to get pregnant, they were advised to delay their plans for some time till the virus subsides. If a pregnant women visit an affected country, then she needs to be in contact with the doctor for regular checkups, ultrasound everyone is required to check the development of the fetus. Many countries and pharma companies are experimenting to develop a vaccine for the virus. Awareness is the best treatment.

WHO Report:

The World health organization presented its report in November 2016, mentioning that the global risk has not changed. A decline has been reported in some countries. Whereas, the WHO has suggested remaining on alert to some African and South American countries.