In news A multidisciplinary team to Maharashtra to monitor the Zika virus situation and support the State government in management of infections.
What is Zika virus?
Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in monkeys.
It was later identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania.
ZVD is caused by a virus transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes (AM), mainly Aedes aegypti.
This is the same mosquito that transmits dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever.
Transmission: From mother to fetus during pregnancy, through sexual contact, transfusion of blood and blood products, and organ transplantation.
Symptoms: Fever, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or headache.
Most people with Zika virus infection do not develop symptoms.
Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause infants to be born with microcephaly (smaller than normal head size) and other congenital malformations, known as congenital Zika syndrome.
Treatment: There is no vaccine or medicine for Zika.
The focus is on relieving symptoms and includes rest, rehydration and acetaminophen for fever and pain.
