This document provides information about Zika virus from its causes and transmission to symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. It is caused by a virus transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitos and can also be sexually transmitted. While most cases have mild or no symptoms, it poses risks for neurological complications and microcephaly if contracted during pregnancy. There is no vaccine and treatment focuses on relieving symptoms. Prevention emphasizes avoiding mosquito bites through protective clothing and repellent. The WHO is supporting affected countries through surveillance, laboratory testing, clinical guidance, and vector control activities to address the ongoing Zika outbreak.

1. Zika virus
Class Research Project
Presentation by: Nicole Turner
Infected areas

2. Etiology
Causes
• Zika virus is caused by a virus transmitted
by Aedes mosquitos.
• Zika fever is mainly spread via the bite of
mosquitos of the Aedes type.
• It can also be spread through sex and
blood transfusions.
• Rarely, donated blood and organ
transplantation may allow rare person-to-
person transmission.
• The disease may transfer from mother-to-
child in the womb and cause microcephaly.
• Symptoms are similar to those of dengue.

3. Risk Factors
 Neurological & Auto-immune complications
 Birth defects/microcephaly transmitted from mother-to-child.
 One of the major risk factors is to get the infection in areas where infected mosquitoes reside
and not taking precautions to prevent mosquito bites.
 Living near breeding areas for mosquitos. Urban areas are most common.
 SYMPTOMS IF OCCUR
• Fever
• Cutaneous Maculopapular Rash
• Conjunctivitis
• Arthralgia; notably small joints of hands and feet, with possible swollen joints.
• Myalgia & Malaise
• Headache, retro ocular headaches
• Vomiting & Gastrointestinal pain

4. Diagnostic Testing
 Zika virus diagnosis can only be confirmed by laboratory testing for the presence of zika virus RNA in the blood or other body fluids,
such as urine or saliva.
 Zika virus is diagnosed through RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction) on serum.
 Typically the development of the virus specific IgM and neutralizing antibodies occurs towards the ends of the 2-7 days of the illness.
 The virus can cross-react with other flaviviruses such as dengue, West Nile, and yellow fever which can make diagnosis by serology
difficult or a discern.
 Flavivirus - any of a group of RNA viruses, mostly having arthropod vectors, that cause a number of serious human diseases.
 Including yellow fever, dengue, various types of encephalitis, and hepatitis C.
 Arbovirus- Any of a group of viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks, or other arthropods.
 Testing can be performed called plague-reduction neutralization to measure virus specific neutralizing antibodies and discriminate
between cross-reacting antibodies in primary flavivirus infections.
 After about 4 to 14 days after specimen receipt, test results are normally available.
 Reporting times for test results may be longer during summer months when arbovirus activity increases.
 Testing is performed at CDC Arbovirus Diagnostic Laboratory and a few state or local health departments.
 You may contact your state or local health department to facilitate testing.

5. TREATMENT
 About 1 in 5 people infected with Zika Virus
become ill and develop Zika.
 Most cases have no symptoms.
 60-80% of infections do not produce any
symptoms.
 In general, the virus is not contagious from
person to person.
 Zika virus disease is usually relatively mild.
 Requires no specific treatment.
 If symptoms worsen seek medical care.
 Plenty of rest.
 Drink enough fluids.
 Treat pain and fever with common
medicines such as acetaminophen.
 Do not take aspirin and other non-
steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
 Currently no vaccine available.

6. PROGNOSIS
 Officials are saying it’s a matter of time
before the virus spreads to the United
States.
 News officials are saying the first areas
most likely to see infections are Florida
and Texas.
 The list, to date, includes Brazil,
Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana,
Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique,
Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname,
Venezuela and Puerto Rico.
 Currently, there's no vaccine to prevent
the virus and developing one could take
years.

7. Prevention
 No vaccine exists to prevent Zika Virus.
 Avoid mosquito bites.
 Mosquitos that spread Zika virus bite mostly
during the day.
 Wear long sleeve shirt and long pants.
 Treat clothing and gear with permethrin after
multiple washings.
 Use EPA (Environmental Insect Repellent)
 Even pregnant or breast-feeding women.
 Stay in places with air conditioning or that use
window and door screens to keep mosquitos
outside.
 Sleep under a mosquito bed net if you are
overseas or outside and are not able to protect
yourself from mosquito bites.
 If wearing sunscreen, apply sunscreen and then
the insect repellent last. It Is safe to wear both as
long as the repellent is your last layer.
 Do not travel to infected areas, especially if
pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
 If living in an infected area cancel any pregnancy
plans until further notice and research has been
accomplished.
 Removal & modification of breeding sites.
 Reducing contact between mosquitos & people.
• Zika virus can be found in the blood and
passed from an infected person to a
mosquito through mosquito bites during the
first week of infection.
• An infected mosquito can then spread the
virus to other people.
• Therefore, this can help prevent
furthermore mosquitos getting the virus and
spreading it.
If you already have the Zika Virus
you should prevent mosquito bites
for the first week of your illness.
If you have a baby or a child
• Do not use insect repellent on babies younger
than 2 months of age.
• Dress child in clothing covering arms & legs.
• Cover crib, stroller, and baby carrier with
mosquito netting.

8. CASES OF ZIKA
 Nearly 3,900 babies in Brazil have been born in
the last year with microcephaly.
 Brazil has the most cases of Zika virus.
 U.S. infections reported
 One each in Texas and Hawaii
 Two in Illinois
 Three in Florida
 Involved individuals who had traveled
to countries where the virus is
endemic.
 Since the 1950s, it has been known to occur
within a narrow equatorial belt from Africa to
Asia.
 In 2014 the virus spread eastward across the
pacific ocean.
 French Polynesia & Easter Island
 In 2015 the virus spread eastward across the
Pacific Ocean.
 French Polynesia & Easter Island
 In 2015 the virus spread even more.
 Mexico, Central America, Caribbean and
South America.

9. WHO Response
 What is WHO Response?
 WHO is supporting countries to control Zika Virus.
 When?
 WHO began when our constitution came into force on April 7, 1948 – a date we now celebrate
every year as world health day.
 Purpose?
 To attain their health objectives and support their national health policies and strategies.
• How?
• WHO is conveying experts and partners to define and prioritize research into Zika Virus disease.
• Experts are enhancing surveillance of Zika Virus and potential complications.
• WHO is helping countries meet their commitments under the International Health Regulations by
helping strengthen capacity in risk communications.
• Providing clinical management, diagnosis and vector control.
• To detect the virus they are strengthening laboratories capacity.
• They are preparing for people with Zika Virus recommendations for clinical care and follow-up in
collaboration with experts and other health agencies.
• Reducing Aedes mosquito populations such as providing larvicide to treat standing water sites
that cannot be treated in other ways, such as cleaning, emptying, and covering them.
Zika Virus/Microcephaly