Zika virus -A Challenge

like 880 Posted By : Garvit Khurana, Class 9, GOODLEY PUBLIC SCHOOL

What is Zika?

The virus transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquito, the same mosquito that transmits dengue and chikungunya. Its name come from the Zika Forest in Uganda, where the virus was first isolated in 1947.

In pregnant women, Zika can cause birth defects, unusually small heads, and other brain abnormalities in the womb. It can also cause Guillain Barre Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that cause paralysis.

There is no treatment or vaccination for Zika infection.

Symptoms

The virus can show symptoms like mild fever, skin rash, muscle and joint pain, and headache. But only 20% of patients show symptoms that they show last week.

How to avoid the Zika virus?

The mosquito that carries Zika virus – Aedes aegypti- breeds in fresh water so don’t let water collect outside your house.

Use mosquitoes repellents such as creams, gels, incense sticks and bed net. Grow plants that act as mosquitoes repellent such as basil, lemon grass, lavender, mint, rosemary etc.

Wear the dresses that cover most of body parts

Why India should fear from zika?

It is strongly suspected to cause birth defects and neurological disorders in new-borns and as birth rates is high in India special care need to be taken. Since India provides climate for growth of aedes aegypti mosquito to grow and multiply there is potential of an outbreak situation in country.

The mosquito also carries dengue and chikungunya viruses that affect 1000s of lives every year. There could be lack of population immunity against virus in affected areas.