By writer to www.indiatoday.in
Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that’s precipitated or transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes, which chunk through the day and night time. Notably, there are some breeds of mosquitoes that carry deadly illnesses together with malaria, dengue fever, encephalitis, zika and many others.
Additionally, the Zika virus is unfold by means of the identical mosquitoes which unfold dengue and chikungunya viruses.
Zika virus: Signs
Individuals contaminated with the Zika virus usually have gentle signs. The commonest signs of the Zika virus are fever, rash, headache, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint ache and many others. Nonetheless, the Zika virus normally stays within the blood of an contaminated particular person for a few week and that’s the reason these signs additionally final for just a few days to per week.
How do individuals get contaminated with the Zika virus?
Via mosquito bites
The Zika virus is primarily transmitted to individuals by means of mosquito bites; the chunk of an contaminated Aedes species mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus). These mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water like bowls, buckets, flowerpots, animal dishes and many others. and chunk individuals through the day and night time.
A mosquito will get contaminated with the Zika virus when it bites an contaminated particular person through the first week of his/her an infection. The chain continues when this contaminated mosquito bites one other particular person and the virus then enters that particular person’s bloodstream and causes an an infection.
Via sexual contact
The Zika virus might be transmitted by means of sexual contact between companions. When an contaminated particular person engages sexually together with his/her associate, the Zika virus might be handed by means of it, even when the contaminated particular person doesn’t have signs at the moment.
It can be handed by an contaminated one who carries the virus however doesn’t develop any signs.
Nonetheless, researchers are nonetheless conducting research to seek out out for the way lengthy Zika can keep within the semen and vaginal fluids of the contaminated particular person. Additionally, until when it may be handed to companions by means of sexual contact. We already know that Zika can stay in semen longer than every other physique fluids, together with vaginal fluids, blood and urine.
Throughout being pregnant; from mom to baby
A lady who’s contaminated can cross the Zika virus to her foetus throughout being pregnant or across the time of start. It might probably severely have an effect on the foetus and may trigger foetal mind defects. Zika virus can also be present in breast milk however Zika virus transmission by means of breast milk has not been confirmed but.
Additionally, research are nonetheless underway to seek out out potential well being issues that Zika virus an infection could cause throughout being pregnant.
Via blood-transfusion
The Zika virus may also unfold from one particular person to a different by means of blood merchandise or blood transfusion. In some circumstances, individuals contract the virus by means of blood transfusion or organ donation. It occurs when an contaminated particular person tries to donate blood or any organ to a different particular person.
Nonetheless, to cut back the chance of unfold by means of blood transfusion, blood donation centres ought to display screen all blood donations for the Zika virus. Additionally, any contaminated particular person ought to anticipate about 4 weeks to donate blood. This may reduce the chance of spreading Zika an infection.
Different danger components
Another danger components that may trigger the unfold of the Zika virus live or travelling in international locations the place there have been Zika outbreaks.
Being in tropical and subtropical areas will increase your danger of publicity to the Zika virus. Some high-risk areas embrace the Pacific Islands, islands close to West Africa and a variety of international locations in Central, South and North America. Apart from this, there are reviews that the Zika virus can be unfold or transmitted by means of laboratory and healthcare setting publicity.
READ MORE | Here’s how to prevent mosquito bites when traveling abroad
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