What exactly is Zika virus Virus (Zika)?

Zika is a disease caused by Zika virus that is certainly spread to people primarily through the bite of a corrupted Aedes species mosquito. The most common symptoms of Zika are generally fever, rash, joint discomfort, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for a number of days to a 1 week. People usually don’t get sick enough to visit the hospital…

The virus was first identified in Uganda in 1947 and cases have since been reported in other parts of Africa, southern Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the Americas. The virus may also be in other countries where it hasn’t yet been detected.

The mosquitoes that are able to transmit Zika virus are not normally found in New Zealand. All cases of Zika reported in New Zealand have involved people who had recently been in countries where an outbreak was occurring.

There are concerns that pregnant women who become infected with Zika virus can transmit the disease to their unborn babies, with potentially serious consequences. Reports from several countries, most notably Brazil, show that there has been an increase in severe birth defects and poor pregnancy outcomes in babies whose mothers were living in areas while pregnant where Zika virus infections were occurring.

There are also concerns that Zika infection can, in rare instances, lead to Guillain-Barré syndrome, a serious immune system disorder.

What are your symptoms of Zika?

About 1 in 5 persons infected with Zika could possibly get sick. For people who get sick, the illness is usually mild. For this cause, many people might not realize they are infected.

The most typical symptoms of Zika trojan disease are fever, break outs, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes). Symptoms typically begin 2 to one week after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

[Tweet “The symptoms of #Zika are similar to those of dengue and chikungunya, diseases spread through the same mosquitoes that transmit Zika.”]

How is Zika transmitted?

Zika is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, identical mosquitoes that spread Chikungunya in addition to dengue. These mosquitoes are aggressive daytime biters plus they can also bite during the night. Mosquitoes become infected whenever they bite a person already infected using the virus. Infected mosquitoes are able to spread the virus to people through bites. It may also be transmitted from an expecting mother to her baby during pregnancy or across the time of birth

[Tweet “#Zika virus is spread to people through mosquito bites. The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes).”]

Who is susceptible to being infected?

Anyone who lives in or travels to an area where Zika virus is available and has not been recently infected with Zika virus could get it from mosquito gnaws.

What countries have Zika?

Specific areas where Zika trojan transmission is ongoing will often be difficult to determine and will certainly change over time. If traveling, please visit the CDC Travelers’ Health site for the most updated travel info.

What can people do in order to avoid becoming infected with Zika?

There isn’t a vaccine to prevent Zika. The obvious way to prevent diseases spread by mosquitoes should be to protect yourself and your loved ones from mosquito bites. Here’s the way:

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
• Stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.
• Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents. All EPA-registered insect repellents are evaluated for safety and effectiveness.
  • Always follow the product label instructions.
  • Reapply insect repellent as directed.
  • Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing.
  • If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen before applying insect repellent.
• If you have a baby or child:
  • Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months of age.
  • Dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs, or
  • Cover crib, stroller, and baby carrier with mosquito netting.
  • Do not apply insect repellent onto a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, and cut or irritated skin.
  • Adults: Spray insect repellent onto your hands and then apply to a child’s face.
• Treat clothing and gear with permethrin or buy permethrin-treated items.
  • Treated clothing remains protective after multiple washings. See product information to learn how long the protection will last.
  • If treating items, yourself, follow the product instructions carefully.
  • Do NOT use permethrin products directly on skin. They are intended to treat clothing.
• Sleep under a mosquito bed net if you are overseas or outside and are not able to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

Any treatment for Zika Virus?

There is no vaccine to counteract or specific medicine to manage Zika infections.
Treat the actual symptoms:

• Drink fluids to counteract dehydration.
• Don’t take aspirin and different non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
• For anyone who is taking medicine for another condition, talk to your doctor before taking additional drugs.
• If you have Zika, prevent mosquito bites with the first week of your illness.
• During the first week of infection, Zika virus can be found in the blood and handed down from an infected person into a mosquito through mosquito bites.
• An infected mosquito will then spread the virus to other folks.

[Tweet “Your healthcare provider may order specialized blood tests to look for Zika or other similar viruses like dengue or chikungunya.”]