#IDFridays Week 50: Zika virus

Name
Zika virus

Transmission

The Zika virus is transmitted several ways:
- Infected mosquitoes biting people
- Infected pregnant women can pass the virus to their babies which leads to severe birth defects
- The virus can be passed through sex from an infected person to his or her sex partners (this includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex)
- Blood transfusion from an infected donor (not a proven but a suspected method of transmission)
Zika was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in monkeys and then in 1952 in humans in Tanzania and Uganda

Geography
Worldwide

Incubation Period
Not determined, but probably a few days

Signs and Symptoms
Many infected people infected do not have symptoms and if they do, their symptoms are mild. Common symptoms include:

Diagnosis
Laboratory tests on body fluids including blood, urine, saliva, and semen

Treatment

There is no treatment for Zika virus
Rest, increasing fluid intake, and taking painkillers/fever-reducing medication helps relieve symptoms
Symptoms usually last 2 – 7 days

Prognosis

For most people, the infection is mild and not harmful
For unborn babies:
- Causes congenital brain defects, including microcephaly (abnormally small heads)
- Triggers Guillain-Barré syndrome (a disorder where the body’s immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system)
- Can lead to sight and hearing issues, and impaired growth

Prevention: What Can You Do?

There currently is no vaccine for Zika, although scientists and researchers are working to develop one
Use condoms when having vaginal, anal, or oral sex
Pregnant women and those considering pregnancy should consider postponing non-essential travel to areas at risk of Zika virus transmission until after pregnancy
Prevent mosquito bites (use insect repellent; wear long, light colored clothing; use mosquito nets)

Zika In the News