Back In 1947, a huge scientific discovery was made as scientists uncovered the Zika Virus in a primate (monkey) down in the woodlands of Zika forest found close to Entebbe, since then the virus has been silently spreading not until the resent explosion in the number of cases since 2015 as reported by the World Health Organization.
Since its discovery through the 1950s, this virus has been recorded to be in slim equatorial belt from the African continent to Asia.
However in 2014, the Zika virus spread further eastward over the Pacific Ocean and then in 2015 it has spread on to the Caribbean, Mexico, then Central America, as well as South America, in which the outbreak has better widespread; and today approximately 3500 people have contracted the disease with 5 confirmed deaths.
How is the Zika Virus Spread?
The Zika virus which today is proving to be a global threat is spread by mosquito bites to people. it happens when an infected Aedes-species mosquito bites you. These are actually the very same mosquitoes which spread dengue as well as chikungunya viruses.
What are the signs and Symptoms of Zika Virus Disease?
In cases of developed Zika, 1 in 5 infected cases (people) infected with the virus gets ill. The incubation time – which is the time from exposure to the time of seeing the signs and symptoms for the Zika Virus is not known but estimated to be a couple of days to one week.
Among the most common symptoms of this Zika virus diseases include:
- Fever
- Skin rash
- Joint pain
- Conjunctivitis (or red eyes)
The illness is normally mild and the symptoms last between a couple of days to one week.
Cases of Severe illness that necessitate hospitalization are very uncommon and deaths are extremely rare.
Treatment of the Zika Virus Disease
Today there is no medication or vaccine to prevent or even treat the Zika infections, however, treat all the symptoms by:
Taking plenty of drinks to keep your body hydrated
Get enough rest
Take pain relieving medication as well as medicine to relieve the fever
Avoid aspirin plus other non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs -NSAIDs, including ibuprofen plus naproxen to reduce the possibility of hemorrhage (excessive bleeding).
BUT ABOVE ALL contact your health care provider for the best medical assistance
In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infection in Brazil. The outbreak in Brazil led to reports of Guillain-Barré syndrome and pregnant women giving birth to babies with birth defects and poor pregnancy outcomes.
The Zika Virus and Pregnancy
Although conclusive proof has not been obtained, it is suspected that the Zika virus causes pregnant women who have contracted it to give birth to newborns with severe cerebral plus skull deformities
How to prevent Further Spread of the Virus
In case you are suffering from the Zika Virus disease and have noticed mosquito bites always ensure that you sleep in a mosquito net to prevent the mosquitoes from sacking your infected blood and affecting other people.
