ZIKA FEVER

ZIKA FEVER

• · Zika is spread mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus). These mosquitoes bite during the day and night.
• · Zika can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. Infection during pregnancy can cause certain birth defects.
• · there is no vaccine or medicine for Zika.
• · Local mosquito-borne Zika virus transmission has been reported in the continental United States.

What You Need to Know

1. Zika primarily spreads through infected mosquitoes. You can also get Zika through sex.Many areas in the United States have the type of mosquitoes that can spread Zika virus. These mosquitoes are aggressive daytime biters and can also bite at night. Also, Zika can be passed through sex from a person who has Zika to his or her sex partners.
2. The best way to prevent Zika is to prevent mosquito bites.Use EPA-registered insect repellent. It works!Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.Stay in places with air conditioning or window and door screens.Remove standing water around your home. 
3. .Zika is linked to birth defects.Zika infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly that is a sign of incomplete brain development. Doctors have also found other problems in pregnancies and among fetuses and infants infected with Zika virus before birth. If you are pregnant and have a partner who lives in or has traveled to an area with Zika, do not have sex, or use condoms the right way, every time, during your pregnancy.
4.  Pregnant women should not travel to areas with Zika.If you must travel to one of these areas, talk to your healthcare provider first and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during your trip. 
5. Returning travelers infected with Zika can spread the virus through mosquito bites.During the first week of infection, Zika virus can be found in a person’s blood and can pass from an infected person to a mosquito through mosquito bites. An infected mosquito can then spread the virus to other people. Couples with a partner who lives in or has traveled to an area with Zika should take steps to protect during sex 
6.  

 Prevention 

• No vaccine exists to prevent Zika.
• Prevent Zika by avoiding mosquito bites.
• Mosquitoes that spread Zika virus bite during the day and night.
• Mosquitoes that spread Zika virus also spread dengue and chikungunya viruses.
• Zika can be passed through sex from a person who has Zika to his or her sex partners. Condoms can reduce the chance of getting Zika from sex. Condoms include male and female condoms.

Local mosquito-borne Zika virus transmission has been reported in the continental United States.

Transmission & Risks

How Zika Spreads

Through mosquito bites

Zika virus is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus). These are the same mosquitoes that spread dengue and chikungunya viruses.

• These mosquitoes typically lay eggs in and near standing water in things like buckets, bowls, animal dishes, flower pots and vases.  They prefer to bite people, and live indoors and outdoors near people.
• Mosquitoes that spread chikungunya, dengue, and Zika are aggressive daytime biters, but they can also bite at night.
• Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on a person already infected with the virus. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to other people through bites.

From mother to child

• A pregnant woman can pass Zika virus to her fetus during pregnancy. Zika is a cause of microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects. We are studying the full range of other potential health problems that Zika virus infection during pregnancy may cause.
• A pregnant woman already infected with Zika virus can pass the virus to her fetus during the pregnancy or around the time of birth.
• To date, there are no reports of infants getting Zika virus through breastfeeding. Because of the benefits of breastfeeding, mothers are encouraged to breastfeed even in areas where Zika virus is found.

Through sex

• Zika can be passed through sex from a person who has Zika to his or her partners. Zika can be passed through sex, even if the infected person does not have symptoms at the time.
• It can be passed from a person with Zika before their symptoms start, while they have symptoms, and after their symptoms end.
• Though not well documented, the virus may also be passed by a person who carries the virus but never develops symptoms.
• Studies are underway to find out how long Zika stays in the semen and vaginal fluids of people who have Zika, and how long it can be passed to sex partners. We know that Zika can remain in semen longer than in other body fluids, including vaginal fluids, urine, and blood.  

Through blood transfusion

• To date, there have not been any confirmed blood transfusion transmission cases in the United States.
• There have been multiple reports of blood transfusion transmission cases in Brazil. These reports are currently being investigated.
• During the French Polynesian outbreak, 2.8% of blood donors tested positive for Zika and in previous outbreaks, the virus has been found in blood donors.

Through laboratory and healthcare setting exposure

• Prior to the current outbreak, there were four reports of laboratory acquired Zika virus infections, although the route of transmission was not clearly established in all cases.
• As of June 15, 2016, there has been one reported case of laboratory-acquired Zika virus disease in the United States.
• To date, no cases of confirmed Zika virus transmission in healthcare settings have been reported in the United States. Recommendations are available for healthcare providers to help prevent exposure to Zika virus in healthcare settings.

Risks            

• Anyone who lives in or travels to an area where Zika virus is found and has not already been infected with Zika virus can get it from mosquito bites. Once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections.

Symptoms, Testing, & Treatment

• Many people infected with Zika virus won’t have symptoms or will only have mild symptoms.
• A blood or urine test can confirm Zika infection diagnosis.
• There is no specific medicine for Zika.
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 Prepared by Dr Salim Amour