ZIKA Virus: Cause for Concern

What is Zika Virus? Zika virus was first discovered in 1947 in the tropical Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. Zika is mostly spread from the bite of an Aedes species mosquito. These mosquitoes bite any time of the day or night. Zika virus can get transmitted from a pregnant mother to the unborn fetus. Zika infection during pregnancy can lead to birth defects. Presently there is no vaccine for Zika.

Few things that we should definitely know about Zika; Firstly though it is an infected mosquito that spreads the virus however, it can be sexually transmitted from one Zika infected partner to a healthy partner. The best way to prevent Zika is to protect ourselves from mosquito bites. Zika infection during pregnancy can lead to birth defects hence it is advisable for pregnant mothers not to travel to Zika infected locations.

Usually people infected with Zika display mild or no symptoms. The symptoms that are common to Zika infection are, Fever, rashes, headache, joint pain, red eye or conjunctivitis and painful muscles.

A blood or urine test can confirm Zika infection.

Zika outbreak has been reported in India. It is a cause for concern as it the third time an outbreak has happened within a span of less than two years.  In the last week 22 people in Rajasthan’s capital Jaipur has been reported. Bihar also had to be put on alert as one of the people who tested positive had come from Bihar to his native place in Siwan. Government health department is on high alert and all the pregnant mothers in the area are constantly being monitored.

The cause for concern is because this time over, Indian scientist have not just detected the virus in affected humans but they were able to detect the mosquitoes in the areas which are a threat as presence of these mosquitoes point at increasing risk of the virus spreading.

By: Madhuchanda Saxena

Content: https://qz.com/india/1417596/zika-outbreak-in-india-affects-22-in-jaipur-rajasthan/