‘ANOTHER VECTOR BORNE CHALLENGE TO COMBAT- ZIKA VIRUS OUTBREAKS’

Authors

  • Maria Shoaib Dow Medical College , Dow University of Health Sciences. Karachi , Pakistan.
  • Ahmad Faraz Karachi Medical and Dental College, karachi, Pakistan.
  • Syed Ahsanuddin Ahmed Jinnah Sindh Medical College , Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi , Pakistan

Abstract

Zika virus is a single-stranded RNA virus of the Flaviviridae family. It is known to transmit to humans primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito which is also known to carry dengue, chikungunya & yellow fever virus. Transmission is anthroponotic (human-to-vector-to-human) during outbreaks, Perinatally in utero, sexually and via infected blood transfusion. It is mild and self-limiting infection lasting for several days to a week. . However, it is suspected as a cause of Guillain Barre Syndrome. There is a teratogenic association of Zika virus causing congenital birth defects like microcephaly and neurologic abnormalities. Treatment is generally supportive and for symptomatic relief. No specific antiviral treatment or vaccine is yet available for Zika virus disease. It highlights importance of preventive public health measures at the community level and avoid travelling to the endemic areas.

Author Biographies

Maria Shoaib, Dow Medical College , Dow University of Health Sciences. Karachi , Pakistan.

graduate , MBBS

Ahmad Faraz, Karachi Medical and Dental College, karachi, Pakistan.

graduate , MBBS

Syed Ahsanuddin Ahmed, Jinnah Sindh Medical College , Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi , Pakistan

Student 4th year

References

Duffy MR, Chen TH, Hancock WT, Powers AM, Kool JL, Lanciotti RS, et al. Zika virus outbreak on Yap Island, federated states of Micronesia. N Engl J Med 2009;360(24):2536–43.

Zammarchi L, Stella G, Mantella A, Bartolozzi D, Tappe D, Günther S, et al. Zika virus infections imported to Italy: clinical, immunological and virological findings, and public health implications. J Clin Virol 2015;63:32–5.

Dyer O. Zika virus spreads across Americas as concerns mount over birth defects. BMJ 2015;351:h6983.

Factsheet for health professionals [Internet]. [Cited 2016 Jan 12]. Available from: http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/healthtopics/zika_virus_infection/factsheet-health-professionals/Pages/factsheet_health_professionals.aspx

Zika virus: Travel warning issued for pregnant Irish women [Internet]. [Cited 2016 Jan 12]. Available from: http://www.thejournal.ie/zika-virus-travel-advice-2-2563537-Jan2016/

Published

2016-03-10

Most read articles by the same author(s)