The Zika virus, spread by mosquitoes, is now spreading in Maharashtra, Kerala, and Karnataka. It mainly threatens pregnant women and their babies. The virus spreads through mosquito bites, blood transfusions, sexual contact, and breastfeeding from infected mothers. The government has advised states to stay alert to prevent more cases.
As monsoon rains soak India, bringing relief from the summer heat, they also bring an unwelcome visitor: the Zika virus.
The heavy rains have caused water to accumulate, creating ideal conditions for mosquitoes that carry the Zika virus, especially the Aedes mosquito.
Zika virus, typically found in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, the Americas, Southern Asia, and the Western Pacific, was first detected in India in 2016 with cases reported in Gujarat. Since then, there have been occasional outbreaks in different states across the country.
The Zika virus is in the news once more, with new cases popping up in various parts of India. Maharashtra and Kerala have reported several cases, and now Karnataka is also affected.
Who is most vulnerable to the Zika virus, and what can you do to stay safe? Let’s explore these questions in more detail.
Exploring the Risks and Complications of Zika Virus
According to the US Centre for Disease Control, Zika virus mainly spreads through mosquito bites, blood transfusions, sexual contact, and breastfeeding from mothers to babies. Aedes mosquitoes, which also transmit dengue and chikungunya viruses, usually bite during the first week of infection.
The Zika virus poses serious risks to pregnant women, according to the World Health Organization. It can be transmitted to the fetus, causing severe birth defects such as microcephaly, where babies are born with smaller heads and underdeveloped brains.
The virus can also lead to stillbirth, miscarriage, and premature birth. In adults and older children, Zika virus infection can cause neurological disorders like Guillain-Barré syndrome, where the immune system attacks nerve cells, resulting in muscle weakness and, in some cases, paralysis.
Additionally, Zika virus can cause neuropathy (nerve damage) and myelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord).
Zika virus symptoms :
After exposure to the Zika virus, symptoms typically appear between 3 to 14 days. Most people who get infected do not show any symptoms.
Symptoms of Zika virus are usually mild and last for about 2 to 7 days. They include fever, rash, red eyes (conjunctivitis), muscle and joint pain, feeling tired, and headache.
Zika virus treatment :
virus can cause serious problems during pregnancy, including microcephaly and other birth defects in babies. It can also lead to complications like miscarriage, stillbirth, and premature birth.
In adults and older children, Zika virus may trigger Guillain-Barré syndrome, neuropathy (nerve damage), and myelitis (spinal cord inflammation).
Scientists are still studying how Zika virus affects pregnancies, ways to prevent and control it, and its impact on neurological disorders in both children and adults.