What is Zika Virus?
Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus which is transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. These mosquitoes bite during the day and night. It can be transmitted through mosquito bites, from a pregnant woman to her fetus, through sexual intercourse, or through blood transfusion (1✔).
The common symptoms of Zika virus are fever, rashes, headache, joint pain, red eyes, and muscle pain. Blood and urine tests are used to identify the Zika infection. There is no medicine and vaccine for Zika virus. But, it can be trrated by drinking more fluids and taking more rest. It is adviced not to take aspirin or other NSAIDs (2✔).
To prevent Zika infections, use insect repellent, wear a long-sleeve shirts and long pants, use mosquito nets, and use condoms during sex (2✔).
Top 10 Facts on Zika Virus
Origin of Zika Virus :
- The Zika virus spreads through the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. This is the same mosquito that spreads infections like dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever. Aedes mosquito usually bites during the daytime (2✔).
- The complete genome of the Zika virus has already been sequenced by the Institut Pasteur in French Guiana. The sequencing will hopefully help scientists understand the behavior of the virus (3✔).
Diseases Associated with Zika Virus
Since May 2015 when Zika was first detected in Brazil, more than 4000 babies born in Brazil had smaller heads, a condition referred to as Microcephaly (4✔). - Zika virus has been associated with another neurological condition – Guillaine-Barre (GB) Syndrome. This was particularly noted in the epidemic that occurred in French Polynesia (5✔).
Transmission of Zika Virus
- Since Zika virus has been detected in semen, it is possible that a man traveling to countries where Zika is common may spread the infection to his partner, who could conceive a baby with microcephaly (6✔).
- Men traveling to infected areas should wear a condom for at least one month during intercourse following the visit and for at least 6 months if he was confirmed to be infected (7✔).
Zika Virus in United States
- The United States is at high risk of Zika viral infection from the neighboring Southern countries. Better mosquito control methods in the United States should hopefully deter the spread of the infection.
Zika Virus in India
- Zika virus does not currently have its presence in India. However, India is one of the countries that is on the danger list (8✔).
Treatment for Zika Virus
- Currently, there is no medicine to treat Zika or any vaccine to prevent it. Patients with Zika fever usually recover only with symptomatic treatment and not with specific treatment (9✔).
Prevention of Zika Virus
- Prevention of Zika viral infection by preventing mosquitoes from breeding, fumigating areas with stagnant water, taking precautions to prevent mosquito bites, and usage of insect repellents (10✔).
