Zika virus with no cure that has affected over 25 countries, explained in 8 points

We need to be aware of this deadly virus. A mosquito-borne virus called Zika is raising concern worldwide because if infected, it can cause a neurological birth disorder.

The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Government of Canada had earlier issued a warning for those traveling to the Caribbean countries about Zika virus.

Soon, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said the virus might spread to all American countries, excluding Chile and Canada. It has already spread to at least 25 counties.

People travelling Zika infected countries have been asked protect themselves from the vector - mosquitoes - and pregnant women have been specially advised to avoid going to such countries till the time the virus is contained.

In some countries women are being asked not to conceive for at least two years because the infection of this virus can result in babies being born with abnormally small heads or with developmental issues, and at worse, be still born. 

This virus has now been shown to pass through amniotic fluid to the growing baby.

But, what is this virus?

Transmitted by an aggressive Aedes aegypti mosquito, Zika is a part of the same family as yellow fever, West Nile, chikungunya and dengue. 

Why is there a need to worry?

Researchers and scientists have not been able to come up with a cure for this infection. There is no vaccine to prevent Zika either.

How is it transmitted?

Aedes mosquito is the carrier of this infection. If it bites a person who is already infected and then bites those who are not infected, they become carriers too. 

There has been a warning it can be transmitted through sexual-intercourse as well. However, there have been only two documented cases till now. The WHO has said this potentially means it may even spread through blood transfusion.

What are the symptoms?

From fever, headache, rash to a possible pink eye, the symptoms are many but most of the infected people never find out about the disease till it's late. 

Effects

Microcephaly has been linked to this virus infection. According to reports, newborn babies of mothers who were infected with Zika during pregnancy are at an increased risk of getting this birth defect.

Microcephaly is a birth defect and is caused by below-normal brain development in utero. The Brazilian Ministry of Health has confirmed the relation between the Zika virus and this birth defect. 

Health officials are also investigating its link to a paralysis syndrome called Guillain-Barre. It strike patients after they have suffered from influenza or other viruses. 

WHO and Pan American health Organisation warned in a report that they came across multiple cases wherein people had this syndrome shortly after contracting the Zika virus. 

The Guillain-Barre syndrome can cause bedsores, pneumonia but can be treated with infusion of plasma.  

Infected countries 

According to the CDC, the Zika virus has now spread to Bolivia, Brazil, Cape Verde, Colombia, Paraguay, the US Virgin Islands, Venezuela, among others. 

Brazil has already seen 4,000 cases of microcephaly in babies born to women who were infected with Zika while they were pregnant. 

How to protect yourself?

Due to lack of a medical answer to this virus, it is better to avoid traveling to areas affected by this virus. If it cannot be avoided, then use an EPA-approved repellent over sunscreen, wear long pants and long sleeved shirts.  

 

 What about its spread to India?

After being described in the scientific community as a "cousin" of India's endemic dengue virus, it is also considered Indians have developed a passive immunity to this infection. 

The traces of this virus were seen only in 1952-53. But as they say, prevention is better than cure and that too from an infection that has NO CURE at all.