What is the virus that causes Zika?

What is the virus that causes Zika?

Zika virus is a single-stranded RNA virus of the Flaviviridae family, genus Flavivirus. Zika virus is transmitted to humans primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus).

Where did Zika virus come from?

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 outbreaks have probably occurred in many locations.

How is Zika virus treated?

Treatment

1. Treat the symptoms.
2. Get plenty of rest.
3. Drink fluids to prevent dehydration.
4. Take medicine such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) to reduce fever and pain.
5. Do not take aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) until dengue can be ruled out to reduce the risk of bleeding.

Why is Zika virus a problem?

Zika infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects and is associated with other pregnancy problems. Rarely, Zika may cause Guillain-Barré syndrome, an uncommon sickness of the nervous system in which a person’s own immune system damages the nerve cells, causing muscle weakness, and sometimes, paralysis.

How long is Zika contagious?

What is the contagious period for a Zika virus infection? Zika virus can remain in semen (up to 93 days) longer than in other body fluids such as vaginal fluids, urine, or blood.

How many babies got Zika?

In the August 2018 Vital Signs Report, scientists looked at babies who were at least 1 year old born to women with Zika during pregnancy in the U.S. territories. Out of 1,450 babies, approximately 1 in 7 (or 14%) had one or more reported health problems possibly caused by Zika.

How many babies have been born with Zika in the US?

4,800. Over 4,800 pregnancies in the US territories had a lab result showing confirmed or possible Zika from 2016-2018. 1 in 7. About 1 in 7 babies had health problems possibly caused by Zika reported, among 1,450 babies at least one year old.

What is the mortality rate of Zika virus?

Considering the currently confirmed cases of microcephaly and related deaths associated with Zika virus in Brazil, the estimated case fatality rate is 8.3% (95% confidence interval: 7.2–9.6).

When did Zika virus start us?

Previously only 14 cases of Zika fever had been documented since the virus had first been identified in 1947. Approximately 5,005 people, more than 70% of the population of 7,391, were infected with Zika, and generally exhibited mild symptoms; no cases of microcephaly were reported.

Are Zika babies mentally challenged?

Babies born with microcephaly can have trouble moving their arms and legs and problems with feeding because of difficulties sucking and swallowing. A smaller head at birth is also associated with mental retardation.

How can you try to avoid getting Zika?

What You Can Do

1. Protect Yourself and Others. Prevent mosquito bites, plan for travel, protect during sex, and more.
2. Prevent Mosquito Bites. The best way to prevent Zika is to protect yourself from mosquito bites.
3. Protect Yourself During Sex.
4. Plan for Travel.
5. Men and Zika.