What is in news : Union Health Ministry has rushed a high level multi-disciplinary team to Uttar Pradesh where a case of Zika Virus Disease case has been reported.

MAHITI FOR  PRELIMS

ZIKA VIRUS

• The Zika virus is predominantly transmitted by infected mosquitoes from the Aedes genus, mainly Aedes aegypti. The Aedes mosquitoes also spread dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever.
• The virus was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in monkeys
• Transmission: Apart from the mosquitoes, an infected person can also spread the virus.
• Symptoms:
  • Fever, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, or headache
  • Lasts for about two to seven days
  • Most infected people do not develop any symptoms.
• Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause infants to be born with microcephaly (smaller than normal head size) and other congenital malformations, known as congenital Zika syndrome.
• It has no treatment or vaccine. Instead, the focus is on relieving symptoms and includes rest, rehydration and acetaminophen for fever and pain.