IN THE KNOW: Zika Virus

THE ZIKA virus, first detected in Uganda in 1947, is primarily spread by mosquitoes, mainly the Aedes aegypti in tropical regions, the same mosquito that transmits dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever.

Outbreaks were reported in the Pacific in 2007 and in 2013. The current outbreak of the Zika virus started in 2015 in Brazil and has since spread to over 20 countries and territories in the Americas.

In the Philippines, a documented case of Zika virus infection was traced in Cebu in 2012. A 15-year-old boy was reported with symptoms of fever, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, muscle pain, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.

After yielding negative results from tests on dengue and chikungunya, the patient’s serum was tested positive for the Zika virus. The patient recovered fully after three weeks of continuous bed rest and medication.

People infected with the Zika virus may develop a mild fever, skin rashes and conjunctivitis (red eyes). Others may also experience joint and muscle pains, fatigue or headaches. The symptoms normally last from two to seven days.

No vaccine is currently available against the virus, and the best form of prevention is using insect repellent and other means of protection from mosquito bites.

There is no specific treatment, aside from getting plenty of rest, drinking enough fluids, and treating the fever with common medication.

Scientists suspect the Zika virus may cause microcephaly in babies—a condition defined by unusually small heads that can result in developmental problems and could also trigger Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)—a rare condition in which the body’s immune system attacks a part of the nervous system that controls muscle strength. Inquirer Research

Sources: Inquirer Archives