Everything Zika

With three zika cases being reported in the country, PIONEER HEAlTH tells you all there is to know about this new virus

Two types

Spread through the Aedes aegypti mosquito in tropical and subtropical regions

The Aedes albopictus mosquito can also transmit the virus and can hibernate to survive in regions with cooler temperatures

A study, conducted by Fiocruz Pernambuco, detected the presence of Zika virus in Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes. But recent laboratory studies have shown that it is unlikely that they play a role in the current outbreak of Zika

First appearance

The Zika virus, first identified in Uganda in 1947, is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, the same type of mosquito that carries dengue fever, yellow fever and chikungunya virus

Common symptoms

• Fever l Rash l Headache
• Joint pain l Conjunctivitis (red eyes)
• Muscle pain

The mild symptoms may last a week. Since people are not ill enough, they don’t go to the hospital. Also, people rarely die of Zika. Hence, many don’t realise they have been infected. Symptoms of Zika are similar to other viruses that are spread through mosquito bites like dengue and chikungunya.

— Dr Sachdeva

doctor says

• While there is no need to panic, there is need to take precaution. More so, for pregnant women. Since India has high birth rates, it can spread like wildfire. It can lead to birth defects — some are born with microcephaly. Some babies may develop other health problems later in life. Can cause glaucoma in infants who were exposed in utero; it has also been linked to hearing loss, vision problems, and impaired growth.
• 80% don’t even show symptoms of the virus; since it passes of very mildy. Doctors come to know of it when 20% come for treatment like rash, muscle pain, etc
• What is more important is to make people aware of Zika virus. There is need to have a low threshold of detencting zika. A lot of people still don’t know much about zika.
• Doesn’t have a specific treatment except to be treated like any other virus.
• Since it is holiday time, the chances of the virus travel are high. So one needs to be aware of preventive measures.
• Consult a doctor if symptoms like rash, fever, headache, muscle pain persist.
• Anybody who is outside is vulnerable since this mosquito bites during the daytime.
• Also, one should know that the Aedes mosquito is not just carrying dengue; it is also carrying zika and chikungunya viruses.
• — Dr Charu Goel Sachdeva, Internal Medicine, Venkateshwar Hospital, Dwarka

Test

The virus remains in the person’s blood for a week and one should go and get tested if one has travelled to an area with high Zika risk. See your doctor if you have the above mentioned symptoms. This is especially important if you are pregnant

fact sheet

• Maintaining a safe and adequate blood supply during Zika virus outbreaks
• Diagnosis is based on symptoms and the person’s recent history (eg mosquito bites, or travel to an area where Zika virus occurs)
• The symptoms of Zika virus disease can be treated with common pain and fever medicines, rest and plenty of water. If symptoms worsen, people should seek medical advice.

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Pregnant women at risk

Zica virus is not expected to impact a majority of the Indian population but pregnant women are at risk as contraction during pregnancy can result in microcephaly in newborns (brain does not develop). Since India has a high pregnancy rate, the chances of women being affected and babies born with abnormalities remains high.

— Dr Harshad limaye, Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital, Mumbai

No medicine or vaccine

There is no specific medicine or vaccine for the Zica virus which has undergone severe mutation, changing itself from being a virus causing mild physical symptoms like fever, to causing neurological problems like the Guillain Barre syndrome and microcephaly

— Nivesh Khandelwal, Founder, letsMD.com

Prevention

• Avoid mosquito bites, use repellents.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, indoors and out even though it is summers.
• Use wire mesh and screens on doors and windows.
• Get rid of any stagnant water near your home like  tyres, buckets, plants and flower pots. This is because these mosquitoes lay eggs near fresh water.
• Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, US, recommend using condoms or abstaining from sex for eight weeks for women or six months for men to avoid sexual transmission.
• Prevention and control relies on reducing mosquitoes through source reduction and reducing contact between mosquitoes and people. During outbreaks, health authorities may advise spraying of insecticides. Insecticides recommended by the WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme may also be used.