WHO Director-General meeting of the Emergency Committee on Zika was held on 1st February 2016. it has suggested...
"A coordinated international response is needed to improve surveillance, the detection of infections, congenital malformations, and neurological complications, to intensify the control of mosquito populations, and to expedite the development of diagnostic tests and vaccines to protect people at risk, especially during pregnancy.
The Committee found no public health justification for restrictions on travel or trade to prevent the spread of Zika virus."
Source : - http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2016/emergency-committee-zika-microcephaly/en/
What is Zika Virus ?
Mosquito is the main cause of Zika virus. The virus is spread to people through mosquito bites. The virus is named after the Zika forests located in Uganda. It was here that the virus was first identified in the 1940s by the scientists.
Some of the common symptoms of the disease include joint pain, rash, fever and conjunctivitis. However, Zika is not that mild as it may seem. The virus has badly impacted pregnant women who have been giving birth to babies with birth defects. Brazil is warning its women not to get pregnant till the effect of the virus is better understood. Brazil has seen more newborns with microcephaly. This is a condition that is associated with incomplete brain development and a small head. Since October 2015, health officials have documented more than 3,500 cases in Brazil. Researchers believe that the virus was brought into Brazil during the 2014 World Cup.
Origin and impact
In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infection in Brazil. The largest outbreak of Zika is reported in Brazil, with more than a million people infected. However, the virus has been identified in more than 20 other countries and territories in South and Central America and the Caribbean. These include Haiti, El Salvador, Colombia, Honduras, Venezuela, Mexico and Puerto Rico.
Source : http://www(.)theguardian(.)com/us-news/2016/jan/21/zika-virus-cdc-symptoms-mosquitos-united-states-pregnant-women-microcephaly
How to detect Zika symptoms ?
Some of the common symptoms in people affected with the Zika virus include fever, joint pain, conjunctivitis and rashes. Headache and muscle pain might also occur. The incubation period may range from a few days to a week. People with the above symptoms need to see a doctor immediately as the symptoms of Zika are often confused with that of dengue and chikungunya.One needs to be careful, take adequate rest and keep the body hydrated as there are no vaccines or drugs to treat the virus attack. Common medicines such as paracetamol can be taken for fever and pain. Any kind of anti-inflammatory drugs should be strictly avoided. During the first week, there is chance of the infection spreading from one infected person to any healthy through mosquito bites.
Zika virus affected Countries
| South Americas | |
|---|---|
| Barbados | Haiti |
| Bolivia | Honduras |
| Brazil | Martinique |
| Colombia | Mexico |
| Dominican Republic | Panama |
| Ecuador | Paraguay |
| El Salvador | Puerto Rico |
| French Guiana | Saint Martin |
| Guadeloupe | Suriname |
| Guatemala | U.S. Virgin Islands |
| Guyana | Venezuela |
| Oceania/Pacific Islands | |
| Samoa | |
| Africa | |
| Cape Verde | |
Last Update on : February 02, 2016
