Zika virus disease|Prevention|treatment|
What is Zika Virus|Prevention|Treatment
Keyword: Flaviviridae| RNA
virus |DEET |IR 3535 |Aedes aegypti |Aedes albopictus|
What is Zika virus
disease?
Zika
virus disease is due to infection from the Zika virus. Zika virus is a
flavivirus that belongs to the family Flaviviridae. Flavivirus is a
single-stranded RNA virus. Its genome consists of non-segmented single-stranded
positive-strand RNA.
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The Zika virus was found in the
monkeys of the Zika forest of Uganda in 1947 hence the name.
In 1953, it was identified in human beings in
Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania.
In
1947 the Zika virus was recognized accidentally in samples taken from a rhesus
monkey for yellow fever surveillance in the Zika forest of Uganda.
In
1948, the virus was found in the Aedes-Africanus from a tree in the Zika
forest.
On
1 st February 2016, WHO declares Zika infection a Public Health Emergency of
Internal FConcern.
Transmission of Zika virus disease:
Zika
virus disease is transmitted due to mosquito bites. The
same
mosquitoes transmit Dengue, Chikungunya, West Niel virus, yellow fever, and
many other viruses.
The
mosquito belongs to the Aedes genus, and the species are mainly Aedes aegypti
and Aedes albopictus in tropical and subtropical areas. These mosquitoes bite
during the day, especially in the morning and early evening.
Zica
virus is also transmitted
1.
From mother to fetus during pregnancy
2.
Through sexual contacts
3.
Through transfusion of blood and blood products, and
4.
Organ transplantation
the
incubation period( incubation period is the time of the entry of the causative
organism into the body and the appearance of the first symptom of the disease).
symptoms
Mostly
asymptomatic (there is no symptom), but when the symptom
appears,
it is very mild-:
Symptoms
are mild fever, headache, conjunctivitis, joint
pain,
and muscle pain. Usually, spontaneous recovery occurs in 2-7 days.
But
if the infection occurs during pregnancy, this may affect pregnancy in many
ways:
1.
Miscarriage
2.
Preterm birth
3.
Congenital disabilities in infants- microcephaly- small cranium with less brain
tissue, hearing loss or other hearing defects, and visual defects.
History
of Zika virus: It was identified in monkeys in 1947 in Uganda. In 1953
it was recognized in human beings in Uganda and the United Republic of
Tanzania. Outbreaks of Zika virus disease occurs in Africa, America, Asia, and
the Pacific at different time.
The
first outbreak of Zika virus disease was reported in 2007 from the ‘Island of
Yap’ that is ‘Federal States of Micronesia.
In
2013 outbreak occurred in French Polynesia and other countries and territories
in the Pacific area.
In
March 2015, a large short break occurred in Brazil.
Some
sporadic cases of human infection with mild symptoms are reported across Asia
and Africa.
In
India, it has been reported in Kanpur and Kannauj in U .P. recently. In
Kannauj's first case of Zika virus disease was detected. Delhi and other nearby
states are on alert.
How
to diagnose Zika virus disease: It is diagnosed on symptoms of a person
living in or visited areas with Zika transmission.
The
confirmation of the disease is done by laboratory tests of blood and other body
fluids, for example, urine and semen fluid.
Treatment: There
is no specific treatment available for the disease, but rest, plenty of fluids,
and medicines for pain and fever are given.
Prevention
‘Prevention
is better than cure.’
A
vaccine is not available for the prevention of Zika virus disease.
Protection
against mosquito bites
It
is essential to prevent mosquito bites during the day and early evening,
especially among pregnant and women of reproductive age and young children.
Personal protection includes wearing light-colored clothes covering as much of
the body as possible. Use of clothing that contains DEET, IR 3535, or Icaridin
will also prevent mosquito bites.
The
use of a mosquito -net even during the daytime will also prevent mosquito
bites. In addition, close
windows,
doors, and window screens may prevent mosquito entry into the
room.
Application
of insect repellent to the skin is also helpful.
Elimination
of mosquito breeding sites :
These
mosquitoes breed in a small collection of water around homes, schools, offices,
and workplaces. These water collections must be removed by covering the water
storage containers, eliminating water in flower pots for utensils in-home, and
adequately cleaning nearby spaces.
Regular
spraying of insecticides and larvicides by health workers reduces mosquito
population and helps in disease control.
Hashtags: Flaviviridae# RNA virus #DEET #IR 3535 #Aedes
aegypti #Aedes albopictus#
External
link:
https://www.cdc.gov>zika
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