ZIKA VIRUS, A VIRUS SPREAD BY MOSQUITOES

As reported by MedlinePlus, Zika virus is spread to people through mosquito bites. The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon. 

Outbreaks of Zika have occurred in areas of Africa, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the Americas. Because the Aedes species mosquitoes that spread Zika virus are found throughout the world, it is likely that outbreaks will spread to new countries. In December 2015, Puerto Rico reported its first confirmed Zika virus case. Locally transmitted Zika has not been reported elsewhere in the United States, but cases of Zika have been reported in returning travelers.

PREVENTION

Mosquitoes that spread Zika virus bite mostly during the daytime.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites

Use insect repellents

Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and some oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-menthane-diol products provide long lasting protection.

If you use both sunscreen and insect repellent, apply the sunscreen first and then the repellent.

Do not spray insect repellent on the skin under your clothing.

Treat clothing with permethrin or purchase permethrin-treated clothing.

Always follow the label instructions when using insect repellent or sunscreen.

When weather permits, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.

Use air conditioning or window/door screens to keep mosquitoes outside. If you are not able to protect yourself from mosquitoes inside your home or hotel, sleep under a mosquito bed net.

Help reduce the number of mosquitoes inside and outside your home or hotel room by emptying standing water from containers such as flowerpots or buckets.

If you have Zika, follow these steps to protect others from getting sick

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.

Symptoms

About 1 in 5 people infected with Zika virus become ill (i.e., develop Zika).

The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes). Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, pain behind the eyes, and vomiting.

The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week.

Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon.

Deaths due to Zika have not been reported.

Diagnosis

The symptoms of Zika are similar to those of dengue and chikungunya, which are diseases caused by other viruses spread by the same type of mosquitoe

Treatment

There is no medicine to treat Zika.

Treat the symptoms:

Get plenty of rest

Drink fluids to prevent dehydration

Take medicines as prescribed but not Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)  until dengue is ruled out to reduce the risk of hemorrhage

ZIKA VIRUS INFECTION IN PREGNANT WOMEN AND THE SUBSEQUENT BIRTH DEFECTS

As seen in the Yahoo News: A 2 1/2-month-old child, Arthur Marilia is one of some 3,500 babies born with microcephaly, a birth defect that has been linked to Zika virus, since the virus was identified in Brazil in May. Although a definitive cause-and-effect relationship has not been proven, both Brazilian and international doctors believe there is indeed a connection.

The mother caught the mosquito-borne virus when she was pregnant. At the time, little was known about Zika, and her doctors told her not to worry. But in her next prenatal checkup, it became clear there were major problems with the fetus. Her son was born with a markedly small head, which almost looks as if it were placed in a vise at the top. That's typical of microcephaly. The severe brain damage affects all aspects of a child's development, both physical and mental.

Arthur is constantly fretful and hard to soothe. He doesn't suckle well. He has problems with his eyes, his hip and the bones in his legs and arms.

The Aedes mosquito can spread Zika virus in addition to dengue fever and chikungunya virus. The virus was first spotted in the Americas in 2014.

Zika Virus Confirmed In Texas: Here's A Primer On The Disease

"We have had no follow up and bad service at the hospitals," she says. "We know that there is a ticking clock with these babies; they need certain stimuli at certain points in their lives if they are going to survive." But most children born with this condition have limited life expectancy, on average about 10 years, though some have lived into their 30s.

The virus only arrived in Latin America last year, but Brazil has reported at least half a million cases, and Zika has spread to more than a dozen countries. Last week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned that pregnant women should avoid travel to countries where the virus is prevalent, including Brazil.

To get a handle on the situation, Brazil is now funding research into a vaccine for Zika. It's sent the army into certain cities to provide manpower to eradicate the mosquito that carries the virus. It's also using drones to track down standing water where the mosquito breeds.