The Ravaging Virus: ZIKA

Global awareness is currently being raised on the recent outbreak of a perilous virus: the Zika Virus.

Ways of contracting Zika virus

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus is transmitted to people mainly through bites from mosquitoes, particularly of the Aedes specie. The organisation states that it is the same breed of mosquitoes that transmit chikungunya and dengue viruses. However, there are reports that the virus is suspected to be sexually transmittable. 

In addition to these known facts about the virus and its vector, the most worrisome is the transmittability of the virus from a pregnant mother to its fetus. Further to this, the reports are replete with the dangers of contracting this virus by a pregnant mother and transferring it to the unborn child.

Impact of Zika virus on a child

Accordingly, where the virus is transmitted to a baby prior to its birth by its mother, the baby is said to have a witnessed disproportionately small head compared to the size of his/her torso and limbs.

Furthermore, it is medically reported that there is a strong likelihood that the virus results in neurological deformities, which entails that the baby may not lead a normal life without needing support all through his/her life.

While this is yet to be medically proven, there is a strong evidence linking the Zika Virus to microcephals.  

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Geographic spread of zika virus and WHO reaction

Speaking at an emergency meeting at Geneva two days ago, the World Health Organization Director General, Margaret Chan, raised a high level of alarm over the spread of the virus. She stated that the virus has been detected in 23 countries, mainly comprised of the Latin American countries.

She added that there is currently no vaccine to immunize against or treat the virus. Therefore, prevention is the most optimum solution. However, when it is suspected that one has contracted the virus, the World Health Organization advised thus: 

• Treat the symptoms:
  • Get plenty of rest
  • Drink fluids to prevent dehydration
  • Take medicine such as acetaminophen to relieve fever and pain
  • Do not take aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen and naproxen. Aspirin and NSAIDs should be avoided until dengue can be ruled out to reduce the risk of hemorrhage (bleeding). If you are taking medicine for another medical condition, talk to your healthcare provider before taking additional medication.
• If you have Zika, avoid mosquito bites for the first week of your illness.
• During the first week of infection, Zika virus can be found in the blood and passed from an infected person to another mosquito through mosquito bites.
• An infected mosquito can then spread the virus to other people." (see www.cdc.gov/zika)

Measure taken against the zika virus by some countries

In order to check the outbreak, some countries, mostly the already affected ones like Columbia have advised their women to avoid getting pregnant atleast for a period two years from no; while Nigeria, Canada and some others have advised their citizens especially the pregnant women not to travel to the affected countries, such as; Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico,Saint Martin ,Suriname, U.S. Virgin Islands, Venezuela. Samoa and Cape Verde. 

The virus is also suspected to be spreading towards the Central and North America too, including United Stated.

Please be advised accordingly. 

You can read more on Zika Virus from our sources:  www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/zika

                                                                            www.cdc.gov/zika