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Zika virus is one that spreads and is transmitted via mosquitos. Aedes aegypti is a species of the Aedes genus and acts as the vector for Zika Virus. Dengue, Chikungunya, and yellow fever are also transmitted by this same mosquito. Aedes Aegypti is considered one of the most notorious species of the insect family.
This mosquito generally bites during the day, with the peak reaching early in the morning and dusk. They are most commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions. The hot and humid tropical weather acts as the perfect breeding ground for these mosquitos. The 3rd world countries are more drastically affected by this owing to their low maintenance of hygiene. Swampy lakes drain, and accumulated water on roads, houses, etc facilitate the growth of these eggs.
Zika virus can also be transmitted from a pregnant mother to the fetus. Sexual contact, blood transfusion, organ transplantation also leads to the spread of this disease.
Zika virus was first reported back in 2015 in Brazil. The health panel published a report showing a connection between Zika Virus and microcephaly. Since then, the virus has spread all over the world to America, Africa, and Asia. A total of 86 countries and regions have confirmed the presence of the Zika Virus in their respective areas.
Even though it has been 6 years since the confirmation of the Zika Virus, the vaccine is yet to be discovered and made available. There is no vaccine to stop the transmission or spread of the Zika Virus. A vaccine to cure Zika Virus is still under examination and still has a long way to go.
The History of Zika Virus
So, how was the Zika virus found? What led to the discovery of this deadly disease? Back in the 1940s, there was a sudden rise of patients suffering from Guillain-Barré syndrome and microcephaly. Scientists performed several tests and in 1947, they confirmed the presence of the Zika Virus in monkeys. It was not until 1962, that the presence of the Zika Virus was confirmed in humans.
It is a flavivirus that has now spread to the whole world, affecting mostly Asia and Africa.
Symptoms
The incubation period for the Zika virus is around 3-14 days. The majority remains symptomless with little to no symptoms at all. Few get a fever, body ache, joint pain, headache, conjunctivitis, and these symptoms usually last for 7-12 days.
Is Zika Virus Complicated?
Zika Virus, for most of the time, is not a complicated disease, except for pregnancy. If a pregnant woman is diagnosed with Zika virus, it results in microcephaly and various other congenital deformities. It might also result in miscarriage, prenatal birth, and stillbirth.
Though this virus is not fatal or deadly, it might cause neurological disorders in adults. This virus triggers the Guillain-Barré syndrome which results in paralysis. Along with paralysis, patients might be detected with myelitis and neuropathy.
How Is the Virus Transmitted?
The major vector responsible for the transmission of the Zika Virus is the mosquito- Aedes aegypti. It also gets transmitted during pregnancy.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of the Zika virus is rather difficult as most of the infected are symptomless. Even those who show symptoms are so common that they remain unnoticed. It might be suspected for people living in places with a high rate of mosquito breeding. The disease is actually detected via a blood test or a sample test of urine or semen.
Cure
There is no specific cure or treatment for Zika Virus. No vaccine yet has been developed to counterattack the viral load. People detected with Zika Virus are prescribed to take a good deal of rest with nutritious food like fruits and vegetables. They should also drink lots of fluid.
The fever and body pain can be cured with regular antibiotics.
Pregnant women diagnosed with Zika Virus must go to the nearest healthcare center as soon as possible and get themselves laboratory tested.
How to Prevent The Virus
As "prevention is better than cure", we must know the ways of preventing the Zika Virus as there is no cure available until now.
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First and foremost, avoid mosquito bites. Take measures to prevent mosquito bites especially for pregnant women, and children. There are a number of effective mosquito repellent products in the market that can be helpful in this case. Light-coloured clothes covering the maximum part of the body, insect repellents, mosquito nets are some of the other measures that need to be followed. The stagnant water bodies and trash, standing water in drains, flower pots, roads, need to be cleaned at regular intervals to prevent breeding.
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Pregnant women should ensure safe travel. They should avoid going to places where there has been a Zika outbreak. If you've just come back for a trip, wait for two to three months before conceiving. Consult your doctor before conception and act accordingly.
Actions of World Health Organization (WHO)
Who has started taking the following measures to prevent the spread of Zika virus.
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Extensive research in the field of Zika Virus and its components to come up with a vaccine as soon as possible.
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Teaching the community regarding the virus and the measures against it.
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Increasing the strength of members working in the Zika antidote lab.
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Supporting the affected families.
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Maintaining strict control over neighbors' welfare.
Never donate blood if you're infected with the Zika virus. Blood donations must be screened before applied to any patient. Once you're diagnosed with the disease, wait for a specific period of time, which is generally four weeks, before donating blood.
Most recently, India had warned all the states as 14 fresh cases of Zika had been found in Kerala. To prevent an outbreak like Covid, necessary steps must be taken at the soonest.
This disease does not have any treatment. All we can do is promote cleanliness, treatment of mosquito breeding, safe sex, and educate people about the after-effects of the virus. And at all costs, prevent mosquito bites especially in the early morning and dusk by taking necessary precautions.
Disclaimer
This article about Zika Virus was written only for informational purposes, after doing intense research on different content sources available on both online and offline mediums. If you have any type of the above-mentioned symptoms; then you should follow the given preventive measures in the article and immediately consult with your doctor. Use the mentioned products to keep yourself and your surroundings safe and hygienic.
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