NITTY-GRITTIES:

Zika disease is caused and spread by bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito.

Zika virus is transmitted from pregnant mother to foetus, via sexual contact, transfusion of blood & blood products.

There is no vaccine is available yet for the prevention or treatment of Zika virus disease.

In India first four proven cases of zika virus were reported in 2017, followed by major outbreaks in the states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh in 2018.

 

SYMPTOMS:

·       Fever

·       Headache

·       Rash

·       Joint pain

·       Conjunctivitis

·       Muscle pain

Symptoms will last for several days to a week.

 

TRANSMISSION:

Zika virus is mainly transmitted by mosquito. Other than mosquito it can be transmitted from pregnant mother to foetus, via sexual contact, transfusion of blood & blood products.

 

PREVENTION:

• Use mosquito repellent in accordance with the instructions indicated on the product label.
• Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long trousers
• Sleeping or resting in screened or air-conditioned rooms
• Using mosquito nets

Other measures:

• Use a protection when staying in an area with active Zika cases and continuing to do so for at least eight weeks after returning from this area will reduce the risk of sexual transmission.
• Travelers after returning from Zika-affected areas are not allowed to donate blood until the risk of infection has passed, i.e. 28 days.

 

 

Reference:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31642501/

https://www.who.int/health-topics/zika-virus-disease#tab=tab_1

https://www.cdc.gov/zika/symptoms/symptoms.html