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KNOW MORE ABOUT ZIKA VIRUS DISEASE

Zika virus disease has increased recently. Director General of WHO , Dr Margaret Chan , said the threat Zika '
has grown from mid-level to an alarming rate ' and the impact of this virus ' very serious'. But do you know
about zika virus disease? Lets talk about this disease and what are the consequences.

Firts, Zika virus disease (Zika) is a disease caused by Zika virus,a virus from the Flaviviridae family and genus
flavivirus that is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. Zika virus
was first discovered in 1947 and is named after the Zika forest in Uganda. In 1952, the first human cases of Zika
were detected and since then, outbreaks of Zika have been reported in tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, and the
Pacific Islands.

Zika virus transmission can be in several ways, there are :

a. Through mosquito bites
Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on a person already infected with the virus. Infected
mosquitoes can then spread the virus to other people through bites.
b. From mother to child
A mother can pass Zika virus to her fetus during pregnancy.
c. Through sexual contact
Zika virus can be spread by a man to his sex partners. The virus can be present in semen longer than in
blood.
d. Through blood transfusion

Maybe well focus on how zika virus affects pregnancies. There is increasing evidence to suggest that infection
with the Zika virus during pregnancy can stop the babys brain from forming or growing normally. As a result,
the baby might have a small head (microcephaly), stiffness, and problems with learning and development after
birth.

Studies are currently being carried out to increase our understanding of how Zika virus infection during
pregnancy might affect an unborn baby, both in the womb and later on in life. We do not yet know whether only
babies who have been exposed to the virus at a specific stage of pregnancy are at risk of developing
microcephaly and its associated problems. At present it is thought that the majority of babies who have been
born with microcephaly following Zika virus infection in pregnancy have been exposed to the virus in the first
trimester (the first 13 weeks of pregnancy). However, there are reports of microcephaly and brain abnormalities
in a few babies whose mothers report being possibly infected with Zika virus after the first trimester. We do not
yet know how likely a baby is to have problems following Zika virus infection in the mother in pregnancy.

So,how can you avoid catching Zika virus during pregnancy?

The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) in the UK has advised pregnant women to
consider avoiding travel to areas where Zika virus outbreaks are currently reported. Women who are planning to
become pregnant are advised to discuss their travel plans with their healthcare provider to assess their risk of
Zika virus infection, and to obtain advice on insect bite avoidance measures (see below). The Centers for
Disease Control (CDC) in America also advise pregnant women or women who are trying to become pregnant
who are due to travel to an area where Zika virus has been reported to consider postponing their trip.

But if you are pregnant and cannot avoid travelling to an area affected by Zika virus, you should take strict
precautions to avoid mosquito bites. This includes:
1. Using DEET to repel mosquitos
DEET should be reapplied regularly, and should be applied to the skin after any sunscreen, rather than
before.
2. Staying inside as much as possible during mid-morning and from late afternoon to dusk.
The mosquitoes that transmit Zika Virus are mainly active during daylight hours, and most bites occur
at these times.
3. Covering up exposed skin as much as possible with light coloured, loose fitting clothing.
4. Applying an insecticide that kills mosquitos on contact (such as permethrin) to clothing and mosquito
nets
5. Using mosquito screens on doors and windows
6. Sleeping with mosquito nets over the bed
Than, Protect your family from this virus and noticed the place was traveling to be addressed to reduce the risk
of this virus.

See this vidio to understanding zika virus : https://youtu.be/MIHs9R-6mtE

Source : http://www.cdc.gov