Everything about the zika virus you should know

Divya Joyce

www.mediaeyenews.com

As the number of corona causalities increases, Kerala Government has got some extra headaches with the zika virus outbreak in the state. Kerala reported 13 cases of mosquito-borne viral infection Zika virus for the first time. The first case of Zika virus was reported in Thiruvananthapuram that involves a 24-year-old pregnant woman and later 13 others were tested positive for zika virus.

Origin

First identified in Uganda in 1947 in monkeys, Zika was later identified in humans in 1952. The first large outbreak of disease caused by Zika infection was reported from the Island of Yap in 2007.

What is the zika virus? Its causes, diagnosis and treatment, and preventive measures.

According to WHO, Zika virus disease is caused by a virus transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes. Aedes mosquitoes usually bite during the day, peaking during early morning and late afternoon/evening. This is the same mosquito that transmits dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever.

Symptoms are generally mild and include fever, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, or headache. Symptoms typically last for 2 – 7 days. Most people with Zika virus infection do not develop symptoms. The incubation period (the time from exposure to symptoms) of Zika virus disease is estimated to be 3 – 14 days.

Zika virus is also transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy, through sexual contact, transfusion of blood and blood products, and organ transplantation.

A diagnosis of Zika virus infection can only be confirmed by laboratory tests of blood or other body fluids, such as urine or semen.

There is no treatment available for Zika virus infection or its associated diseases. People with symptoms such as fever, rash, or arthralgia should get plenty of rest, drink fluids, and treat pain and fever with common medicines. If symptoms worsen, they should seek medical care and advice. Pregnant women living in areas with Zika transmission or who develop symptoms of Zika virus infection should seek medical attention for laboratory testing and other clinical care.

No vaccine is yet available for the prevention or treatment of Zika virus infection.