Zika Virus

Why is in news? Girl tests positive for Zika virus, first case in Karnataka

Zika virus was first discovered in 1947 and is named after the Zika Forest in Uganda.

In 1952, the first human cases of Zika were detected and since then, outbreaks of Zika have been reported in tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands.

Zika is spread mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus). These mosquitoes bite during the day and night.

Zika can be transmitted through mosquito bites, from a pregnant woman to her fetus, through sex, through blood transfusion (very likely but not confirmed).

There is no vaccine or medicine for Zika. The best way to prevent diseases spread by mosquitoes is to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites.

Many people infected with Zika virus won’t have symptoms or will only have mild symptoms.

The most common symptoms of Zika are Fever, Rash, Headache, Joint pain, Red eyes, Muscle pain. Symptoms can last for several days to a week.

Zika infection during pregnancy can cause a birth defect of the brain called microcephaly and other severe brain defects. It is also linked to other problems, such as miscarriage, stillbirth, and other birth defects.