Facts About Zika Virus – Symptoms And Prevention

Due to rapid expansion and severe impact that the virus causes, the World Health Organization (WHO) is at an emergency meeting in Geneva declared the current outbreak of state of emergency public health of international importance.

This qualification puts Zika virus in the same rank with Ebola and includes emergency routing resources and scientific expertise on targeted scientific research.

What is Zika virus infection?

The infection is caused by mosquitoes of the Aedes family, Egyptian mosquito (Aedes aegypti) and Aedes albopictus. Zika is actually an old virus, isolated in early 1947, in the Zika forest in Uganda and so far stayed mainly in Africa, with sporadic outbreaks of minor importance in Asia.

Great epidemic was first registered in 2007, on the island Jap in Micronesia. It caught 75% of the population. In March 2014, Chile has informed WHO of the occurrence Zika infection on Easter Island, and in May 2015 began its rapid spread to north America.

Can the Zika virus spread by contact?

Basically, to virus Zika it is required vector (mode of transportation), but likely to be transferred to handling and other social contacts does not exist. However, the virus was detected in body fluids, so there is a possibility of transmission during sexual intercourse, through blood transfusions and etc.. The first cases of sexually transmitted diseases have been reported in Colorado and Dallas, then in the Ireland a few days ago, and the infection occurred after returning partners from trips to Senegal and Venezuela.

Is is transmitted from mother to child?

As perinatal transmission (from infected mother to newborn child) observed in related viruses, there is a real possibility that Zika causes some of the many defects of the fetus. Suspected of causing birth of children with microcephaly, congenital disease that causes premature coalescence of the skull and stagnation of brain development, and other neurological deformities. Although the causal relationship is still being investigated, pregnant women are advised not to travel to one of 25 countries where the virus is active, and women in those regions if possible to postpone pregnancy.

During the research the link between increased mortality of newborn babies in the epidemic affected areas Zika virus is isolated in their amniotic fluid.

What are the symptoms?

Common symptoms of infection by Zika virus are mild fever and exanthema (skin rash) followed by conjunctivitis, pain in muscles and joints and general weakness that occurs 2-7 days after the bite of infected mosquitoes.

Is there a cure?

As in most similar infection, treatment is reduced to ease the general symptoms and prevent dehydration. The vaccine or specific drug does not exist.

A particular problem is the rapid proliferation of mosquitoes that would benefit all areas with humid and warm tropical climate, and natural vulnerability of humanity to the virus that so far few people met. Since May 2015, the virus has spread from Brazil to much of South and North America, excluding Canada, which is due to climatic conditions spared of direct infection.

What are the preventive measures?

Global security response which suggests the WHO, primarily in the warring areas or in areas with suitable climatic conditions for the settlement of mosquitoes, involves a series of precautions that include:

Avoid leaving unprotected containers with liquids in the open
Covering pools, rainwater collectors and etc..
Avoid accumulation of trash and garbage disposal in closed containers
Regular cleaning of sewers and drains to avoid water retention
Using nets on the windows and doors of buildings
Use of preparations for the protection from mosquitoes