Running head: INFORMATIONAL FACT SHEET 1

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Description

Zika virus can be described as the mosquito-borne virus that was first noted in 1947 in
Uganda. The virus was first identified in monkeys and later in humans in 1952 in Uganda and
Tanzania. The outbreak of this virus has been observed in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The
cases of zika virus increased significantly in the period between 1960 and 1980, this accompanied
by illness (Tanchanco, 2016).

Epidemiological Distribution

 The spread of zika has increased meaning that the virus has found ways of penetrating the
human body. Moreover, the human body is a nice host for the virus; this has led to the
loss of hundreds of lives across the world.

Prevalence

 The virus was identified in Asia, the

 virus spread through mosquitos on the landmass. In 2007 the virus was detected in Island
of Yap whereby it
 affected more than 70 percent of the population.

Epidemiological Determinants

 There are several cases of Zika virus in the US, the symptoms were observed from the
returning travelers and their spouses. The local transmission has been reported in Florida,
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands (WHO, 2016).

For pregnant women

 The profoundly affected demographic is pregnant women, there have been reports about
poor
 pregnancy condition of the mother who is infected by zika virus (WHO, 2017).
 When a pregnant woman is infected with this virus, she will pass it to the baby. This
causes birth deficiencies
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 known as microcephaly as well as other brain issues.

 Approximately 10 percent of pregnant women infected with zika in Brazil and the US
have given birth to children with brain issues. It can be noted that women with zika
infection at first trimester are most likely to give birth to children with brain issues
(UNIPROT, 2017).

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of zika are the pain in joints, fever, etc. but the majority of people
who are infected with the virus are asymptomatic.

 Other symptoms are a headache and muscle pain.

 The mild illness that lasts for a week.

Treatment

 There is no vaccination or treatment for Zika virus.

 Getting enough rest.
 To stop dehydration by drinking enough water.
 Taking acetaminophen to stop the fever.
 To avoid taking aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), till the
virus is proven to be completely eradicated to avoid risk of bleeding.
 Visiting the primary health care provider in case the symptoms persist and inform him if
you travelled anywhere.

Transmission

The virus are transmitted to human being by mosquitos belong to a genus known as Aedes,
which are mostly found in Asia, Africa and some parts of America and Pacific Islands. These
mosquitos have been discovered in some states such as California (Zanluca, 2015).

 The mosquitoes transmit this virus in most cases during the day but the prevention should
be e done in 24 hours.
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 These mosquitoes can spread Zika together with chikungunya and dengue.

Prevention
The prevention of zika virus is based on the prevention from mosquito bite. It is important to
take the following precaution when travelling to areas where there is wide spread of these
mosquitos;
 Wearing a long sleeve shirts and trousers.
 Staying in the place where the air clean with open windows to allow mosquitoes to move
out.
 Sleeping in the mosquito nets.
 Using the United States Environmental Protection Agency and following the product use
guidelines.
 Continue using the repellent for a period of two weeks after coming beck the travel.
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References

Tanchanco, B. R. (2016, July 31). The Zika Virus Mosquito Is so Dangerous the Military
Considered Using It as a Weapon. Retrieved September 30, 2016,
fromhttp://historynewsnetwork.org/article/163502.

UNIPROT. (2017). Taxonomy - Zika virus (strain Mr 766) (ZIKV) . Retrieved from
http://www.uniprot.org/taxonomy/64320

WHO. (2016, September 6). Zika virus. Retrieved from World Health Organization:
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/zika/en/

WHO. (2017). The History of Zika Virus. Retrieved from World Health Organization :
http://www.who.int/emergencies/zika-virus/history/en/.

Zanluca, C., (2015). First report of autochthonous transmission of Zika virus in Brazil. Memórias
do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 110(4), 569-572.