The Zika Virus

Picture credit: Heart to Heart, Danweinbaum

The worldwide spread of the Zika virus has caused reason for international concern. In addition to causing unidentified medical conditions, it has caused havoc surrounding the Olympics and international travel.

The Zika virus is a member of the virus family, Flaviviridae, as well as the genus or category, Flavivirus. The Flaviviridae family is known for causing conditions such as hepatitis, hemorrhagic syndromes, and abortion. The genus Flavivirus contains 67 identified human and animal virus’ including Zika. Additionally the Zika virus is named after the Ugandan forest, Zika, where it was first isolated in 1947.

The Zika virus is spread through daytime-active infected Aedes mosquito, such as A. aegypti and A. albopictus. In order to get the disease you must be bitten by an infected Aedes mosquito, which becomes infected when it bites a person infected with Zika. These mosquitoes also spread diseases such as dengue and chikungunya. These mosquitoes typically lay eggs in and near standing water, such as in buckets, bowls, animal dishes, flower pots, and vases.

Being bit by a Zika infested virus isn’t the only way to contract the virus, in fact there are multiple other ways. The Zika virus can be spread from a pregnant woman to her fetus, through sexual contact whether the person has not had symptoms, is having symptoms, or had symptoms, and through blood transfusions. There have been no reports of animals being involved with the spread of Zika, though researchers believe non-human primates, such as apes and monkeys, have demonstrated the ability to contract and spread the virus.

Outbreaks of the Zika Virus have been reported in countries in tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Travel reported cases have been reported in the United States and American controlled territories such as American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

As of now Zika poses no serious threats to the citizens of the Pacific Northwest, and to the students, staff, and parents of Century High School.

Common symptoms of the Zika virus include fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis or red eyes. Due to the lack thereof and ordinary symptoms, Zika is generally never diagnosed nor does it normally cause serious illness or death. Many people don’t even realize they have been infected. Zika can be diagnosed through blood testing.

Due to the fact that there are no vaccinations or medications, you can treat Zika by getting plenty of rest,drinking fluids to stay hydrated, take medicine such as acetaminophen (tylenol) or paracetamol to relieve fever or pain, but do not take aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and lastly try to avoid being bitten by other mosquitos. On the bright side, after being bitten by a mosquito with Zika, you are most likely protected from future infections.

To reduce the risk of Zika (if traveling to a country that is infected), it is recommended that you create a prevention kit. A prevention kit generally includes a bed net, insect repellent, permethrin spray, standing water treatment tabs, a thermometer, and condoms.

Although Zika has been proven to cause minor symptoms such as fever and joint pain, Zika has been linked to more serious medical conditions. The Zika Virus has made a possible connection to Guillain-Barré syndrome. Guillain-Barré syndrome is an uncommon sickness of the nervous system in which a persons own immune system damages nerve cells causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. The connection is possible due to an increase of cases of Zika being reported in patients that also suffer from Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Zika also has a possible connection with microcephaly. Microcephaly is a neurological birth disorder that causes the fetus to have a small head and impaired cognition. This is thought to be caused when a pregnant woman passes the Zika Virus onto her fetus. This is proved true as Zika has been isolated in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women, and in the brain’s of fetus’.

During this period of havoc, the World Health Organization has declared Zika a public health emergency. This declaration has brought attention to the Summer 2016 Olympics in Brazil, a country infested with Zika.

While the Olympics, comprising of over 16,000 athletes and hundreds of thousands of spectators, already pose as a place for health concern, the Zika Virus takes it to a whole new level. Many organizations such as The US Olympic Committee, have told athletes to skip the Olympics if they want to. Some athletes like Hope Solo have complied and will not be attending the games. Other prominent voices such as New York City Bioethicist, Art Caplan, has said that Brazil is being irresponsible with its public health.

In response to the negative statements, Brazil is trying to fumigate Rio for mosquitos. Brazil officials have released genetically modified mosquitoes to combat ones infected with Zika, and are exploring other mosquito control options.

In total the Zika Virus is generally non-life threatening, and is only a serious issue to women who are pregnant. Though it is recommended not to be traveling to areas with the disease, as being bitten or having sexual intercourse, can transmit the Zika Virus. Although Brazil and the Olympics are facing serious Zika-related issues, in America, and in the Pacific Northwest, only travel related cases have been reported and identified. This means there are no Zika infected mosquitoes threatening our health at this time.

Credits:

" Zika Virus " Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

https://www.cdc.gov/zika/

Accessed April 13th 2016

" Zika Virus " World Health Organization (WHO)

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/zika/en/

Accessed April 13th 2016