ZIKA VIRUS INFECTION: THREAT TO HUMAN LIFE

Hitesh Jain*, Kalpit Patel, Zeel Rajput, Parva Jani and Hemal Tandel

ABSTRACT

Zika virus disease is caused by a virus is transmitted by the bite of an infected female Aedes mosquito. Various species of Aedes mosquito may have the potential to transmit ZIKV, but the most commonly associated with ZIKV is Aedes aegypti. After an infected mosquito bites a human, the first symptoms of ZIKV can develop in 3 to 12 days but it can be shorter or longer. People with Zika virus disease usually have symptoms that can include mild fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or headache. In most cases, the illness is mild with symptoms lasting less than a week. Outbreaks of Zika have occurred in areas of Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. During 2015, Zika virus was found in South America for the first time. Since then, it has spread to many countries in Central and South America and the Caribbean. A possible link between Zika virus infection in pregnant women and subsequent birth defects is being investigated. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for the disease. Treatment instead focuses on relieving symptoms and includes rest, rehydration and medications for fever and pain.

Keywords: Zika fever, ZIKV, Aedes aegypti, Vaccine, Gullian Barre syndrome.