ALL YOU NEED TO KOW ABOUT ZIKA VIRUS FOR NIGERIANS

is a member of the virus familyFlaviviridae and the genus Flavivirus, transmitted by daytime-active Aedesmosquitoes, such as A. aegypti and A. albopictus. Its name comes from the Zika Forest of Uganda, where the virus was first isolated in 1947.^[1]

The infections, known as Zika fever, often causes no or only mild symptoms. Since the 1950s it has been known to occur within a narrow equatorial belt from Africa to Asia. In 2014, the virus spread eastward across the Pacific Ocean to French Polynesia, then to Easter Islandand in 2015 to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America, where the Zika outbreak has reached pandemic levels.^[2

Zika virus is related to dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and West Nile viruses.^[3] The illness it causes is similar to a mild form of dengue fever,^[3] is treated by rest,^[4] and cannot yet be prevented by drugs or vaccines.^[4] There is a possible link between Zika fever and microcephaly in newborn babies by mother-to-child transmission, as well as a stronger one with neurologic conditions in infected adults, including cases of Guillain–Barré syndrome.^[8]

Global Aedes aegypti predicted distribution. The map depicts the probability of occurrence (blue=none, red=highest occurrence).

In January 2016, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued travel guidance on affected countries, including the use of enhanced precautions, and guidelines for pregnant women including considering postponing travel.Other governments or health agencies soon issued similar travel warnings, while Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Jamaica advised women to postpone getting pregnant until more is known about the risks.^[12][14] On February 2, 2016, Dallas County, Texas health officials confirmed the first case of transmission in the United States, which came from sexual contact.

Since April 2015, a large, ongoing outbreak of Zika virus that began in Brazil has spread to much of South and Central America, and the Caribbean. In January 2016, the U.S. CDC issued a level 2 travel alert for people traveling to regions and certain countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.^[54] The agency also suggested that women thinking about becoming pregnant should consult with their physicians before traveling. Governments or health agencies of the United Kingdom,^[11] Ireland,^[12] New Zealand,^[56]Canada,^[13] and the European Union^[13] soon issued similar travel warnings. In Colombia, Minister of Health and Social Protection Alejandro Gaviria Uribe recommended to avoid pregnancy for eight months, while the countries of Ecuador, El Salvador, and Jamaica have issued similar warnings.

Plans were announced by the authorities in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to try to prevent the spread of the Zika virus during the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in that city.^[13]

According to the CDC, Brazilian health authorities reported more than 3,500 microcephaly cases between October 2015 and January 2016. Some of the affected infants have had a severe type of microcephaly and some have died. The full spectrum of outcomes that might be associated with infection during pregnancy and the factors that might increase risk to the fetus are not yet fully understood. More studies are planned to learn more about the risks of Zika virus infection during pregnancy.^[ In the worst affected region of Brazil, approximately 1 percent of newborns are suspected of being microcephalic.

electron mircograph of zika virus

rashes on the arm due to zika virus