In this blog we will discuss about Zika Fever causative agent Zika Virus Family Flaviviridae.
Mode of transmission is through blood transfusion and sexual transmission.
Symptoms include
Fever
Rash
Muscle and Joint pain
Headache
Red eyes
These symptoms resembles Dengue and Chickengunya
The first major outbreak, with 185 confirmed cases, was reported in 2007 in the Yap Islands of the Federated States of Micronesia. A total of 108 cases were confirmed by PCR or serology and 72 additional cases were suspected. The most common symptoms were rash, fever, arthralgia and conjunctivitis, and no deaths were reported. The mosquito Aedes hensilli, which was the predominant species identified in Yap during the outbreak, was probably the main vector of transmission.
In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infections in Brazil. Even so, cases were reported in 14 states of the country. Mosquito-borne Zika virus is suspected to be the cause of 2,400 cases of microcephaly and 29 infant deaths in Brazil in 2015.
Zika virus can be identified by Reverse Transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) in acutely ill patients.
WHO recommends RT-PCR testing be done on serum collected within 1 to 3 days of symptom onset or on saliva samples collected during the first 3 to 5 days.
Treatment is mainly conservative i.e to take ample of fluids, take proper rest, take paracetamol.
Precaution includes use mosquito repellent, avoid sex during period of infection as the virus can be sexually transmitted, wear ling sleeves clothing.
Complications include in case of pregnant women the child can suffer microcephaly, it can also cause Guillain Barre Syndrome.
Differential Diagnosis includes Chickengunya, Dengue,
Leptospirosis, Malaria, Measles.
12 replies on “Zika Fever”
My question is: Since this disease can be blood borne, and sexually transmitted, it sounds very similar to AIDS. In your opinion, if Zika, can be transmitted this way, do you think Aids can as well? I would think this fact would be hidden, as not to cause a worldwide panic. Your thoughts?
AIDS has transmission rate of 97% blood transfusion and 3% through sexual transmission.
But my question is, can a mosquito carry it?
No AIDS virus cannot grow inside mosquitoe thats why they cannot carry the Virus
Thanku for sharing the information 👍🏻
Thank you
I have lived in areas where there were plagues of Mosquitos especially so after floods. Scary times.
so what measures govt takes in those places do they follow regular pest and mosquito control?
In the place where there had been three floods in 22 months nothing was done by govt. For three years I lived in another area that had the potential for mosquito plagues, the local council would do routine spraying.
It’s the govt responsibility to take adequate measure in order to eradicate these highly contagious diseases. Regular Pest Control, Proper Sewage maintainence etc ample of budget is being wasted on other sectors in india medical budget comprises of just 0.3% in central and 3.4% in state. Govt should raise medical budget then only proper health programming will maintain
Its an ongoing battle with the govt here in Australia getting funding , they don’t seem to prioritze very well if at all. A lot of money gets wasted on uncessary items.
Yes you are correct same goes here also govt still hasn’t been able to raise medical budget despite lots n lots of petitions, efforts,strike etc