Posted: January 26th, 2023

The Zika Virus

Introduction
The Zika virus is a highly infectious disease that is primarily transmitted through the bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes. The virus was first identified in 1947 in monkeys from the Zika forest of Uganda, and later in humans in 1952 in Uganda and Tanzania. Although the disease has been present in Africa for many years, it has only recently started spreading to other parts of the world, including the United States of America.
Transmission of Zika Virus
The Zika virus is primarily transmitted through the bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes, the same mosquitoes that transmit dengue fever, yellow fever, and the chikungunya virus. These mosquitoes thrive in tropical climates and urban regions and are known for their aggressive day-time biting habits. Apart from mosquitoes, the virus can also be transmitted through blood transfusion, sexual intercourse, organ transplant, or from mother to infant during pregnancy.
History of Outbreaks
The first cases of Zika virus were identified in 1947 in monkeys from the Zika forest of Uganda. The virus was later identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and Tanzania. Sporadic human infections continued to be recorded in other African countries, including Nigeria between the 1960s and 1980s, but only as mild illnesses. It was not until 2007 that the virus started spreading outside Africa when it reached the Pacific Island of Yap. A second and even larger outbreak was reported in 2013 in French Polynesia and neighboring countries, and more outbreaks have since been reported outside Africa, including the one reported in Brazil in 2015. Finally, the virus arrived in the United States of America in the summer of 2016.
Signs and Symptoms of Zika Virus
The Zika virus causes Zika virus disease. In most people, the disease occurs as a mild illness characterized by mild symptoms, including fever, rash, headache, muscle and joint aches, conjunctivitis, and malaise. An infected person can take between three days to weeks to show symptoms. However, most people who get infected with the virus do not develop any symptoms and often never realize they have been infected.
However, in rare cases, Zika virus can cause Guillain-Barre syndrome, a neurologic condition in adults characterized by severe muscle weakness that can result in partial or total body paralysis. The virus is also associated with a severe congenital disability in children known as microcephaly, a condition in which pregnant women infected with the virus give birth to children with abnormally small heads, causing brain damage and other fatal developmental problems.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Zika virus disease is identified based on signs and symptoms. However, a diagnosis of infection is only confirmed through a laboratory test using blood and other bodily fluids like semen and urine. Unfortunately, there is still no cure or vaccine for Zika virus. All treatment plans integrate the use of over-the-counter medications used to treat flu, aches, and pains. Infected people are also advised to take plenty of fluids and rest. Fortunately, most people who get infected often recover in a week or two without any complication.
Conclusion
The Zika virus is a highly infectious disease that is primarily transmitted through the bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes. Although the disease has been present in Africa for many years, it has only recently started spreading to other parts of the world, including the United States of America. In most people, the disease occurs as a mild illness with mild symptoms, but in rare cases, it can cause severe complications like Guillain-Barre syndrome and microcephaly. Currently, there is no cure or vaccine for Zika virus, and treatment involves the use of over-the-counter medications and rest.
References
Baud, D., Gubler, D.J., Schaub, B., Lanteri, M.C. and Musso, D., 2017. An update on Zika virus infection. The Lancet, 390(10107), pp.2099-2109.
Benelli, G. and Romano, D., 2017. Mosquito vectors of Zika virus. Entomologia Generalis, pp.309-318.
Essink, B., Chu, L., Seger, W., Barranco, E., Le Cam, N., Bennett, H., … & Leav, B. (2023). The safety and immunogenicity of two Zika virus mRNA vaccine candidates in healthy flavivirus baseline seropositive and seronegative adults: the results of two randomised, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging, phase 1 clinical trials. The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
Labib, B. A., & Chigbu, D. I. (2022). Pathogenesis and manifestations of zika virus-associated ocular diseases. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 7(6), 106.
Pierson, T.C. and Diamond, M.S., 2018. The emergence of Zika virus and its new clinical syndromes. Nature, 560(7720), pp.573-581.

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