Zika Fever

Zika Cases Reported in US

Are you know Zika fever?

     Zika fever is a disease caused by a zika virus.

What is ZIKA?

Aedes Aegypti

     Zika (ZIKV) is a virus of the family Flaviviridae and genus flavivirus spread by the mosquito Aedes aegypti. That was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in monkeys through a network that monitored yellow fever. It was later identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. Outbreaks of Zika virus disease have been recorded in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific. From the 1960s to 1980s, human infections were found across Africa and Asia, typically accompanied by mild illness. In 2014, this virus spread to East, across the Pacific Ocean to French Polynesia . 2015, this virus spread to Central America, Karibia, and South America as a big epidemic.

Transmission of Zika

Aedes Aegypti     

     Zika virus spread to humans by Infected Aedes Mosquito. These Aedes become infected after biting patients who already have the virus. These mosquitoes are very active during the day and live and breed in the indoor or outdoor are close to humans, especially in the area which contained puddle of water. 

Mother to Baby

     Rarely, Zika virus can be transmitted from a mother to her baby. Zika virus is likely transmitted from a pregnant mother to the fetus in the womb. Baby can also be infected during the birth. Until now, cases of Zika virus transmission through breastfeeding have not been found so medical experts still encourage infected mothers to breastfeed their babies.

Sexual Intercourse

     Zika virus can be transmitted through sexual intercourse. For regions with active transmission of Zika virus, all people with Zika virus infection and their sexual partners (particularly pregnant women) should receive information about the risks of sexual transmission of Zika virus. WHO recommends that sexually active men and women be correctly counseled and offered a full range of contraceptive methods to be able to make an informed choice about whether and when to become pregnant in order to prevent possible adverse pregnancy and fetal outcomes. 

     Pregnant women should practice safer sex (including correct and consistent use of condoms) or abstain from sexual activity for at least the whole duration of the pregnancy.

Blood Transfusion

     Other modes of transmission such as blood transfusion are being investigated.

Symptoms of Zika

     Zika virus incubation period is unknown, but possibly lasting up to 2-7 days since patients are exposed to this virus (bitten by infected mosquito). Of the five people infected with the virus Zika, one person becomes sick from the virus. Rarely, severe cases can occur that require further treatment in the hospital, or even death.

Diagnosis

     Infection with Zika virus may be suspected based on symptoms and recent history of travel (e.g. residence in or travel to an area with active Zika virus transmission). A diagnosis of Zika virus infection can only be confirmed through laboratory tests on blood or other body fluids, such as urine, saliva or semen.

Treatment

     Zika virus disease is usually 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 common medicines. If symptoms worsen, they should seek medical care and advice. There is currently no vaccine available.

     

     For patients who have been infected with the virus Zika are expected to avoid mosquito bites during this virus because Zika virus can stand long in the patient's blood may spread to others through mosquito bites.

Prevention

     Preventing mosquito bites is one of the early preventive measures can help you avoid infection Zika virus.

• Make sure your house have a door curtain and window to prevent mosquitoes come to your room, if your room don't have that, please use mosquito nets.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers (preferably light-coloured).
• Use insect repellent containing DEET, IR3535 or icaridin according to the product label instructions.
• It is important to cover, empty or clean potential mosquito breeding sites in and around houses such as buckets, drums, pots, gutters, and used tires.