Explained: What is Zika virus?
Slight fever, red rashes in the body, red eyes, headache, muscle pain and joint pain are the most common symptoms of the disease
Hyderabad: We have been facing Covid pandemic for more than 18 months and still the danger is not over. And now, Kerala reports 13 Zika virus cases. This is a high time regarding healthcare. Here’s all you need to know about the Zika virus and how to prevent it.
Is it a new disease?
Zika virus was first discovered in monkeys in 1947 and is named after the Zika Forest in Uganda.
In 1952, the first human cases of Zika were detected and since then, outbreaks of Zika have been reported in 86 countries. But the worst was reported in Brazil in 2015. It turned into an epidemic and spread to other South American nations and even to North America. It took more than a year to control the disease. In November 2016, WHO announced the end of the Zika epidemic.
How does it spread?
1. Zika is spread mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus). These mosquitoes bite during early morning and night.
2. Zika can be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her fetus. Infection during pregnancy can cause certain birth defects.
3. The disease can also be transmitted through sexual intercourse, organ and blood donation.
Symptoms
Slight fever, red rashes in the body, red eyes, headache, muscle pain and joint pain are the most common symptoms of the disease.
No medicine or vaccine is available for the treatment. However, deaths are very rare due to Zika virus. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital. Symptoms can last for several days to a week.
So Zika infection during pregnancy is the only major threat. It can cause a birth defect of the brain called microcephaly and other severe brain defects. It is also linked to other problems, such as miscarriage, stillbirth, and other birth defects. In aged people, Guillain-Barré syndrome (an uncommon sickness of the nervous system) can be developed. But this is also not so common.
How to detect the virus
An RTPCR test on blood or urine samples can detect the virus. In India, National Centre for Disease Control, Delhi and National Institute of Virology, Pune have the authority to confirm virus cases.
How to prevent it?
Get rid of mosquitoes is the straight answer.
- Keep your house and surroundings clean
- Avoid water stagnation, because they are the breeding source of mosquitoes
- Observe ‘dry day’ in every week to clean home premises
- If you are in a disease affected area, safe sex can prevent the transmission of disease
Treatment
- Get plenty of rest.
- Drink fluids to prevent dehydration
- Take medicines after consulting a health practitioner
(With Inputs from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US)
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