Zika virus is transmitted by daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes and was first isolated in 1947 in Uganda. It causes a mild illness with symptoms like fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis lasting 2-7 days. There is no vaccine or specific treatment, though symptoms can be treated with rest, fluids, and common fever and pain medications. The virus has recently spread explosively and is a concern due to links to birth defects like microcephaly. Ongoing research aims to develop vaccines to address this emerging public health threat.

1. Zika virus ; infection, symptom and treatment
Dr. Dheeraj kumar
JR 1,MEDICINE DEPARTMENT
( Dr. V.ACHARI UNIT)
PMCH,PATNA

2. • Zika virus (ZIKV) is a member of the virus family Flaviviridae and
the genus Flavivirus
• transmitted by daytime active Aedes mosquitoes, such as A. Aegypti
• Its name comes from the Zika Forest of Uganda, where the virus was first
isolated in 1947

3. HISTORY OF ZIKA VIRUS INFECTION
• 1947: Scientists were conducting routine surveillance for yellow fever in the Zika
forest of Uganda isolated the Zika virus in samples taken from rhesus monkey.
• 1948: The virus recovered from the mosquito Aedes africanus.
• 1952: The first human case detected in Uganda.
• 1964: A researcher in Uganda fell ill while working with Zika strains , provided
first proof that Zika virus can manifest as human disease. A pink non-itchy rash
lasting 5 days eventually covered most of his skin, he reported his illness as
“mild”, as he did not experience the “crippling bone pain” associated with dengue
and chikungunya infections.
• 2007: Zika spread from Africa and Asia to cause the first large outbreak in humans
on the Pacific island of Yap. Prior to this event, no outbreaks and only 14 cases of
human Zika virus disease had been documented worldwide.
• Then, in October 2013, an outbreak began in French Polynesia; around 10,000
cases were reported, less than 100 of which presented with severe neurological or
autoimmune complications

4. ZIKA VIRUS INFECTION IN PRESENT
DAY
30 January 2016: first PCR confirmed case of locally acquired Zika.
1 February 2016: WHO declared recent association of Zika infection with clusters of
microcephaly and other neurological disorders constitutes a Public Health
Emergency of International Concern.
2 February 2016: Chile reports its first three PCR confirmed cases of Zika virus . The
United States reports a case of sexual transmission of Zika infection in Texas.
4 February 2016: Brazilian health officials confirm a case of Zika virus infection
transmitted by transfused blood from an infected donor.
7 February 2016: Suriname reports an increase in Guillain-Barré syndrome, beginning
in 2015, with 10 cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome positive for Zika (PCR test on
urine sample)

5. Zika has no DNA. It’s a single strand RNA virus
roughly 10.8kb in size which never goes
through a DNA phase when replicating, nor
does it enter the cellular nucleus where the
mosquito genome is located.

6. • Zika virus is related to dengue, yellow
fever, Japanese encephalitis, and West
Nile viruses.
• The illness it causes is similar to a mild form
of dengue fever

7. These symptoms last for 2-7 days..

9. Infection with Zika virus may be suspected
based on symptoms and recent history (e.g.
residence or travel to an area where Zika
virus is known to be present).
Zika virus diagnosis can only be
confirmed by laboratory testing for
the presence of virus RNA in the
blood or other body fluids, such as
urine or saliva.
Diagnosis

10. Prevention
Reduce mosquitoes through source
reduction (removal and modification of
breeding sites) and reducing contact
between mosquitoes and people.
This can be done by using insect
repellent; using physical barriers such
as screens, closed doors; and sleeping
under mosquito nets.
It is also important to empty, clean or
cover containers that can hold water
such as buckets, flower pots or tyres, so
that places where mosquitoes can
breed are removed.
During outbreaks, health authorities
may advise that spraying of insecticides
be carried out.

11. Zika virus disease is usually relatively mild and
requires No special treatment.
Patients should
1. Take Plenty of rest, drink enough fluids
2. Treatment of pain and fever with common
medicines.
3. If symptoms worsen, they should take medical
care and advice. There is currently no vaccine
available
Treatment

12. The recent spread of the virus has been
described as “explosive”; Zika has now been
detected in 25 countries and territories. The
rising concern over both the number of cases
and reports of serious complications has
led the most affected areas in Brazil to declare
a state of emergency

13. ONGOING RESEARCH
• Indian biotechnology company Bharat Biotech
said on Wednesday it was working on two
possible vaccines to fight the VIRUS.
• The virus is spreading rapidly in the Americas,
and WHO officials on Tuesday expressed concern
that it could hit Africa and Asia as well. No
vaccine has been developed so far.
• One of the possible vaccines is "recombinant",
which means it is created by genetic engineering,
while the other was "inactivated", and will enter
pre-clinical trials in animals in two weeks, ….