Is Zika Virus More Dangerous Than COVID- 19 ? | Symptoms, Prevention |

 ZIKA – another virus by Aedes mosquitoes

Amid coronavirus scare, the presence of Zika virus has been confirmed in Kerala. Kerala has reported its first case of Zika virus. The mosquito-transmitted disease has been detected in a 24-year-old pregnant woman. The woman was admitted to the hospital on June 28 with fever, headache and red marks on her body. In Thiruvananthapuram, there are 27 other suspected zika virus patient, whose samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) at Pune for confirmation. Zika is a kind of virus that spreads from the bite of a mosquito. It is caused by a virus transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes, which bite during the day. The same mosquito is responsible for spreading dengue, chikungunya as well. Zika virus is spread by Aedes aegypti — the same mosquito that is also responsible for causing dengue and chikungunya.

Zika history:

The virus was first identified in monkeys in Uganda, in 1947, then in humans in 1952. The first major outbreak was in 2007 on the Island of Yap. Brazil had a large Zika virus outbreak in 2015 causing 1600 children to be born with microcephaly. There have also been sporadic cases over the years in Africa and Kerala. Thiruvananthapuram has 13 cases of Zika virus as of July 8, caused by Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Kerala Health Minister Veena George confirmed the cases on Thursday. Districts across the state have been alerted about Zika Virus in Kerala. The samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune. The first local outbreak in India was reported in Ahmedabad, Gujarat in January 2017 followed by Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu in July 2017.

Causes: 

Women who are infected with the Zika virus during pregnancy have an increased risk of miscarriage. Zika virus infection during pregnancy also increases the risk of serious birth defects in infants, including a potentially fatal brain condition called microcephaly. When a mosquito bites a person who is already infected with the Zika virus, the virus infects the mosquito. Then, when the infected mosquito bites another person, the virus enters that person's bloodstream and causes an infection. The virus can also spread from one person to another through sexual contact. In some cases, people contract the virus through blood transfusion or organ donation.

How can Zika virus be diagnosed?

It is generally identified from the symptoms developed by individuals. However, it can be confirmed only by conducting laboratory tests of blood or other body fluids such as urine or semen.

 

Zika and neurological disorders:

Zika has also been associated with other neurological disorders, including serious brain and spinal cord infections. The long-term health consequences of Zika infection are unclear.

Symptoms:

As many as 4 out of 5 people infected with the Zika virus have no signs or symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they usually begin two to 14 days after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito. Symptoms usually last about a week, and most people recover fully.

Signs and symptoms of the Zika virus most commonly include:

• Mild fever.

• Rash.

• Joint pain, particularly in the hands or feet.

• Red eyes. (conjunctivitis)

Other signs and symptoms may include:

• Muscle pain

• Headache

• Eye pain

• Fatigue or a general feeling of discomfort

• Abdominal pain

Complications:

Women who are infected with the Zika virus during pregnancy have an increased risk of miscarriage, preterm birth and stillbirth. Zika virus infection during pregnancy also increases the risk of serious birth defects in infants (congenital Zika syndrome), including:

• A much smaller than normal brain and head size (mirocephaly), with a partly collapsed skull

• Brain damage and reduced brain tissue

• Eye damage

• Joint problems, including limited motion

• Reduced body movement due to too much muscle tone after birth

In adults, infection with the Zika virus may cause brain or nervous system complications, such as Guillain-Barre syndrome, even in people who never show symptoms of infection.

Zika virus and blood donation:

In some cases, the Zika virus has spread from one person to another through blood products (blood transfusion). To reduce the risk of spread through blood transfusion, blood donation centers in the Zika viruses affected areas and its territories are required to screen all blood donations for the Zika virus. 

 

Prevention:

There is no vaccine to protect against the Zika virus. But you can take steps to reduce your risk of exposure to the virus.

If you or your partner is pregnant or trying to get pregnant, these tips may help lower your risk of Zika virus infection:

• Plan travel carefully. 

• Non-essential travel to the affected countries to be deferred/ cancelled.

• Practice safe sex. 

If you are living in or traveling to areas where the Zika virus is known to be, take steps to reduce your risk of mosquito bites:

• Stay in air-conditioned or well-screened housing: The mosquitoes that carry the Zika virus are most active from dawn to dusk, but they can also bite at night. 

• Wear protective clothing: When you go into mosquito-infested areas, wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, socks and shoes. The foremost recommended way to protect yourself is wear light coloured clothes which covers your maximum body area.

• Use insect repellent:  For your skin, use a repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, or one of the other active ingredients registered with the Environmental Protection Agency and known to be effective against mosquitoes. When used as directed, these repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

• Reduce mosquito habitat. The mosquitoes that carry the Zika virus usually live in and around houses and breed in standing water that has collected in containers such as animal dishes, flower pots and used automobile tires. At least once a week, empty any sources of standing water to help lower mosquito populations.

Zika virus treatment:

Zika virus disease is usually relatively mild and requires no specific treatment. People sick with Zika virus should get plenty of rest, drink enough fluids, and treat pain and fever with paracetamol. If symptoms worsen, they should seek medical care and advice. There is currently no vaccine available. The formulation of the Zika vaccine continues to be a busy area of analysis.

US CDC manual prescribes:

— Get enough rest.

— Drink enough fluids to keep safe from dehydration.

— In case of fever and pain, take medicine such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®).

— To cut the risk of bleeding, stay away from aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs until dengue is ruled out.

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