zika virus

Zika Virus causing Birth defects

Ades aegypti mosquito
Ades aegypti mosquito

What is the Zika virus and what should you be aware of?

The Zika Virus is transmitted through a bite from the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the same type that generates Dengue and Yellow fever. Its symptoms include a mild fever, skin rash and conjunctivitis which lasts for about 2-7 days.

The Virus originated from Uganda as it was found in monkeys in 1947 and was first diagnosed in humans in the area in 1952. Since then outbreaks have occurred sporadically in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific. It was not much of a threat to the society till last year where an epidemic occurred in Brazil causing birth defects in babes born from infected victims. The virus caused them to have micropcephaly which causes an abnormal shaped head, impaired vision, seizures, feeding problems and developmental delay.

The virus has also caused cases in other parts of Latin America as well as the Caribbean and Cape Verde (off the coast of Africa) recently and some experts have estimated that up to 4 million people could be infected in the coming months. This led to the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring Zika-linked birth defects to be a global health emergency, the same designation Ebola was given two years ago.

Microcephaly
Microcephaly

Some experts have noted that as a result of global travel, mosquitoes in other parts of the world may eventually begin to transmit the virus as well. This is because a mosquito in an area unaffected by Zika virus could bite an infected person who travelled from an affected area, acquire the virus and then pass on the infection by biting other people. This has huge implications in areas of the world such as Nigeria that are densely populated and have poor mosquito control measures. In addition, in early February, a case of sexual transmission of the Zika virus was reported in the United States. This has further implications regarding the modes of transmission of the virus, particularly for pregnant women with partners who have or plan on visiting the countries currently affected.

Only 1 in 5 people infected with Zika virus will get sick, however the current reason for global concern are the effects of the virus on newborns after transmission from the mother. There is also a possibility that Zika virus may cause a rare neurological disorder in adults called Guillan-Barre Syndrome (GBS) but this is still under investigation.

Currently there is no major vaccine or treatment available and no treatment for microcephaly so prevention is our best opportunity to avoid its effects. If you or someone you know appears to have these symptoms, please see your family or primary care doctor or visit your local hospital as soon as possible. In the meantime, common medicines are said to subside the pain and fever symptoms. The affected person is advised to take plenty of rest and drink of a lot of fluids. To prevent the spread of the virus, people are advised to sleep in mosquito treated nets, discard stagnant water in surroundings and remove anything that can serve as a breeding ground for mosquito larvae. Spraying of insecticides and using mosquito repellent is also suggested and one is cautioned to abstain from sexual intercourse till the symptoms are no longer present.

Anyone living in or visiting an area affected by Zika virus is at risk for infection, so various public health organizations have issued infection control measures and travel notices.

Here is how to protect yourself and your family:
  1. Be aware of the areas where Zika virus transmission has been reported and consider restricting travel if possible. See the following website for a complete list of countries affected.
  2. If travel must occur, mosquito bites should be prevented by wearing long sleeved shirts and pants, using mosquito repellents, staying in air-conditioned areas or rooms with window and door screens, sleeping under a mosquito net and covering cribs and strollers with mosquito nets.
  3. In particular, pregnant women, women planning on becoming pregnant and even their partners should strongly consider avoiding travel to Zika virus affected areas. Pregnant women should also avoid exposure to semen from someone exposed to the Zika virus, thus condoms should be used for sexual intercourse. The same mosquito control measures described above apply if a pregnant woman must travel to these areas.
  4. Pregnant women who have a history of travel to an area with Zika virus transmission should see their doctor for further evaluation, even if they have no current symptoms.
  5. If you live in a country not affected by the Zika virus, still work to keep your home environment clean and avoid breeding sites for mosquitoes by dumping standing water and disposing of trash in a clean and timely manner.

Stay safe everyone!

Dr. Sade Adeyi
Consultant Family Medicine Physician

Scroll to Top