Zika virus is a virus spread by aedes mosquito- the same mosquito that spreads dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. The virus is known to circulate in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific. People with Zika virus disease usually have a mild fever, skin rash (exanthema) and conjunctivitis. These symptoms normally last for 2-7 days. There is no specific treatment or vaccine currently available. The best form of prevention is protection against mosquito bites.

1. ZIKA VIRUS
By- Arpit Patel

2. INTRODUCTION
• Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that was first
identified in 1947 through a network that monitored
yellow fever.
• In 1947, scientists identify a new virus in a rhesus
monkey in the Zika forest of Uganda - named as the
Zika virus.
• Zika virus disease is transmitted primarily by Aedes
mosquitoes.
• Outbreaks of Zika virus disease have been recorded in
Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific.
• The incubation period of Zika virus disease is not clear,
but is likely to be a few days.

4. DISEASES
• Based on a systematic review of the literature up to
30 May 2016, WHO has concluded that Zika virus
infection during pregnancy is a cause of congenital
brain abnormalities, including microcephaly.
• Microcephaly is a condition where a baby’s head is
smaller than those of other babies of the same age
and sex.
• Zika virus is a trigger of Guillain-Barré syndrome.
• Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare condition in which a
person’s immune system attacks his or her nerves.

5. FIG: BABY WITH MICROCEPHALY

6. SYMPTOMS
 The symptoms are similar to other arbovirus
infections such as dengue, and include:
• fever
• skin rashes
• conjunctivitis
• muscle and joint pain
• malaise
• headache
 These symptoms are usually mild and last for 2-7
days.

7. OUTBREAK IN BRAZIL
• In May 2015, the public health authorities of Brazil
confirmed autochthonous transmission of Zika virus in the
northeastern part of the country.
• WHO/PAHO release an epidemiological alert for possible
Zika virus infection in Brazil.
• Brazil reports 3,893 suspected cases of microcephaly,
including 49 deaths.
• Brazil reports that 1,708 cases of Guillain–Barré syndrome
have been registered by hospitals between January and
November 2015.
• In July 2015 Brazil reported an association between Zika
virus infection and Guillain-Barré syndrome.
• October 2015 Brazil reported an association between Zika
virus infection and microcephaly.

8. DIAGNOSIS
• Zika virus is diagnosed through PCR (polymerase
chain reaction) and virus isolation from blood
samples or other body fluids, such as urine, saliva or
semen.
• Diagnosis by serology can be difficult as the virus can
cross-react with other flaviviruses such as dengue,
West Nile and yellow fever.

9. TREATMENT
• Zika virus disease is usually relatively mild and
requires no specific treatment. People sick with Zika
virus should get plenty of rest, drink enough fluids,
and treat pain and fever with common medicines.
• If symptoms worsen, they should seek medical care
and advice.
• There is currently no vaccine available.

10. PREVENTION
• This can be done by wearing clothes that cover as
much of the body as possible; using physical barriers
such as window screens or closing doors and
windows; sleeping under mosquito nets; and using
insect repellent .
• It is important to cover, empty or clean potential
mosquito breeding sites in and around houses such
as buckets, drums, pots, gutters, and used tyres.

11. FUTURE STRATEGY
 In terms of prevention, In line with WHO advice, some
innovative approaches to mosquito control are being
piloted in a number of countries, with promising results
such as
• pursuing development of a common bacterium that
stops viruses from replicating inside mosquitoes; and
• modifying the genes of male mosquitoes so that their
offspring die early.
 Some 40 candidate vaccines are in the pipeline, while some
have moved into clinical trials.
 WHO is supporting countries to control Zika virus disease
by taking actions outlined in the “Zika Strategic Response
Framework“