Mosquito-borne Zika virus creates panic over birth defects in Latin America

January 23, 2016

Mosquito-borne Zika virus has created a panic over thousands birth defects in the Latin America countries.
New case of child born with the virus has been reported in these countries. However, Brazil is experiencing the largest known outbreak of Zika with most cases in the north-east region.
In this region, babies have been born a with abnormal condition called microcephaly i.e. with abnormally smaller heads which can cause brain damage.
To avoid the spread of Zika virus some Latin American countries viz. Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador and Jamaica have warned women to avoid getting pregnant.
The virus also has been reported in the United States (US) after three cases were detected in Florida in people who had recently travelled to Latin America.

About Zika virus

  • Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
  • Virus family: Flaviviridae.
  • Genus: Flavivirus.
  • The virus was first identified in 1947 in Uganda and its name has been derived from Zika Forest.
  • Transmission: Zika virus is not contagious but it is mainly transmitted by daytime-active Aedes aegypti mosquitoes after it bites someone infected with the virus and transmit it by biting another human.
  • Most common symptoms: Headache, muscle and joint pain, mild fever, rash, pinkeye and inflammation of the underside of the eyelid.
  • Treatment and Prevention: There is no specific treatment or vaccine currently available. The best form of prevention is protection against mosquito bites and clearing stagnant water where mosquitoes breed.

Special Note:  Aedes aegypti mosquitoes also transmit 3 other vector-borne diseases Chikungunya, dengue and yellow fever.

« »

Month: 

2 Comments

  1. John Cook

    January 25, 2016 at 1:39 am

    With world travel easy and often quite affordable, it is not uncommon for viruses to spread quickly. As example, the Aedes aegypti mosquito is now entering southern Texas. That could, if those experts in diseases are correct, indicate the possibility of a wave of microcephaly in the American future. Regardless of the outcome of the Zika virus, it is highly likely that a new and unstoppable virus will quickly reduce the human population in our future. As bad as that sounds, it might be what saves humans from the distinct possibility of starving to death when overpopulation outreaches the food supply. That is assured if our ridiculous Republican religious leaders continue to preserve every child born by eliminating abortion and birth control measures.

  2. John Cook

    January 25, 2016 at 1:39 am

    With world travel easy and often quite affordable, it is not uncommon for viruses to spread quickly. As example, the Aedes aegypti mosquito is now entering southern Texas. That could, if those experts in diseases are correct, indicate the possibility of a wave of microcephaly in the American future. Regardless of the outcome of the Zika virus, it is highly likely that a new and unstoppable virus will quickly reduce the human population in our future. As bad as that sounds, it might be what saves humans from the distinct possibility of starving to death when overpopulation outreaches the food supply. That is assured if our ridiculous Republican religious leaders continue to preserve every child born by eliminating abortion and birth control measures.

Leave a Reply