ZIKA VIRUS—All you need to know!

ZIKA VIRUS—All you need to know!

Zika Virus is spread through mosquito bites.

Common Symptoms: Fever, rash, joint pain & conjunctivitis (red eyes). Illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week.

Prevention:

Ø No vaccine exists to prevent Zika virus disease

Ø Avoid mosquito bites

Ø Mosquitoes that spread Zika virus bite usually during the daytime

Ø Mosquitoes that spread Zika virus also spread Dengue & Chikungunya viruses

Word of Caution for Pregnant Women :

Though it is not yet clinically proved but there is a growing evidence of a causal link between Zika virus infection during pregnancy & births of a congenital disorder called Microcephaly—a disease where in the brain of the developing  fetus is effected and babies are born with serious deformity.

In Brazil, there is a great number of cases of Microcephaly & Zika Virus.

A word of precaution especially for globetrotters…

So far, there is no reported case of Zika Virus in India but those planning to travel to Brazil for Rio Olympics must be careful. They should take all measures to avoid any mosquito bite.

Ø Carry mosquito repellant

Ø Wear full sleeve shirt & full pants

 (A representational image of the Aedes aegypti mosquito Photo Courtesy: AP)

For more information about Zika Virus http://www.cdc.gov/zika/