ZIKA
VIRUS – SCI & TECH
News: Zika virus | Centre writes to all
States asking them to strengthen the entomological surveillance
What's
in the news?
●
Even as Karnataka is awaiting reports of
the Chikkaballapur mosquito pool samples that were found to be positive for
Zika virus, the Centre has written to all States, including Karnataka, asking
them to strengthen entomological surveillance and intensify vector control
activities.
Zika
Virus:
●
It is a mosquito-borne virus that was first identified in the Zika Forest
of Uganda in 1947.
Transmission:
●
It is primarily transmitted to humans
through the bite of infected Aedes
mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.
●
It can also spread through sexual contact,
blood transfusion and from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy or
childbirth.
Symptoms:
●
Many people infected with this virus do
not experience any symptoms (asymptomatic).
●
When symptoms do occur, they are often
mild and include fever, rash, joint pain, muscle pain, headache and red eyes (conjunctivitis).
●
Symptoms typically appear two to seven
days after being bitten by an infected mosquito and can last for several days
to a week.
Complications:
●
This virus infection is usually mild, it
can have serious consequences for
pregnant women and their babies.
●
Infection during pregnancy can lead to
birth defects such as microcephaly, as well as other neurological disorders in
the baby.
●
It has also been linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune
disorder that can lead to muscle weakness and paralysis.
Treatment:
●
There is no specific treatment available for Zika virus infection or
disease.