Zika Virus Outbreak!

                                                            ZIKA Virus

What is Zika Virus?

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a member of the Flaviviridae virus family and the Flavivirus genus. In humans, it initially causes a mild illness known as Zika fever, Zika, or Zika disease, which since the 1950s has been known to occur within a narrow equatorial belt from Africa to Asia. In 2014, the virus spread eastward across the Pacific Ocean to French Polynesia, then to Easter Island and in 2015 to Central America, the Caribbean, and South America, where the Zika outbreak has reached pandemic levels.

Illustration of Zika Virus.

        Zika virus is related to dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and West Nile viruses. The illness it causes is similar to a mild form of dengue fever, is treated by rest, and cannot yet be prevented by drugs or vaccines. There is a possible link between Zika fever and microcephaly in newborn babies by mother-to-child transmission, as well as a stronger one with neurologic conditions in infected adults, including cases of the Guillain–Barré syndrome.

Affected Areas [till now]-

AMERICAS

·         Barbados

·         Bolivia

·         Brazil

·         Colombia

·         Dominican Republic

·         Ecuador

·         El Salvador

·         French Guiana

·         Guadeloupe

·         Guatemala

·         Guyana

·         Haiti

·         Honduras

·         Martinique

·         Mexico

·         Panama

·         Paraguay

·         Puerto Rico

·         Saint Martin

·         Suriname

·         U.S. Virgin Islands

·         Venezuela

OCEANIA/PACIFIC ISLANDS

·         Samoa

AFRICA

·         Cape Verde

How they Transmitted?

Zika virus is transmitted by daytime-active mosquitoes and has been isolated from a number of species in the genus Aedes, such as A. aegypti, and arboreal mosquitoes such as A. africanus, A. apicoargenteus, A. furcifer, A. hensilli, A. luteocephalus, and A. vitattus. Studies show that the extrinsic incubation period in mosquitoes is about 10 days. Zika virus can migrate between humans through sexual contact and it can also cross the placenta, affecting an unborn fetus. A mother already infected with Zika virus near the time of delivery can pass on the virus to her newborn around the time of birth.

Rash

What are symptoms of Zika virus infection?

Red eyes

About 1 in 5 people infected with Zika virus become symptomatic. Clinical illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week. 

·         About 1 in 5 people infected with Zika virus become ill (i.e., develop Zika).

·         The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes). Other common symptoms include muscle pain and headache. The incubation period (the time from exposure to symptoms) for Zika virus disease is not known, but is likely to be a few days to a week.

·         The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week.

·         Zika virus usually remains in the blood of an infected person for a few days but it can be found longer in some people.

·         Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon.

·         Deaths are rare.

How to Diagnose?

During the first week after onset of symptoms, Zika virus disease can often be diagnosed by performing reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on serum.

How can Zika virus infection be prevented?

There is no vaccine to prevent Zika virus infection. Travelers can protect themselves by taking steps to prevent mosquito bites. Use insect repellent; wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants; and stay in places with air conditioning or with window and door screens. Pregnant women can and should choose an EPA-registered insect repellent and use it according to the product label.

1. Damage the Birth place of Aedes Mosquito-like still water, water in plant pot plates. Clean and scrub the plate thoroughly to remove mosquito eggs. flower vases, uncovered barrels, buckets, discarded tires etc.

Treatment

·         No vaccine or medications are available to prevent or treat Zika infections.

·         Treat the symptoms:

o    Get plenty of rest

o    Drink fluids to prevent dehydration

o    Take medicine such as acetaminophen to relieve fever and pain

o    Do not take aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen and naproxen. Aspirin and NSAIDs should be avoided until dengue can be ruled out to reduce the risk of hemorrhage (bleeding). If you are taking medicine for another medical condition, talk to your healthcare provider before taking additional medication.

·         If you have Zika, avoid mosquito bites for the first week of your illness.

o    During the first week of infection, Zika virus can be found in the blood and passed from an infected person to another mosquito through mosquito bites.

o    An infected mosquito can then spread the virus to other people.