Explained: Already reeling under COVID19, Kerala now records 23 cases of Zika virus — what is it, how it spreads, prevention
Kerala, which has almost a quarter of the active COVID19 cases in India, is gearing up for the challenge of the Zika virus. What is the Zika virus and how harmful is it, how it spreads and who’s more at risk— answers here.
The WHO mentions that protection against mosquito bites during the day and early evening is a key measure to prevent Zika virus infection.
Kerala has been topping the charts of the daily COVID19 cases ever since the pandemic started in India. Today, on July 14, the southern state reported the highest number of daily cases in the country — 14,539 which is more than twice the cases registered by the state with the second largest daily cases today — Maharashtra (7,243). To make matters worse, the Zika virus has been making inroads in Kerala and a total of 23 cases have been reported so far.
Zika virus disease is caused by a virus transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes, which are known for biting during the day. Although its cases show mild symptoms, the zika virus can be especially dangerous for pregnant women as it is known to have resulted in child births with congenital deformities.
The symptoms of Zika virus typically last for a week and most people with the infection do not develop symptoms.
When, where did the Zika virus begin to infect humans?
Zika virus was first identified in the African nation of Uganda in 1947 in monkeys. It was later detected in humans in 1952 in Uganda and Tanzania. The first recorded outbreak of Zika virus disease was in Micronesia (western Pacific country) in 2007.
This was followed by a large outbreak of Zika virus infection in French Polynesia in 2013 and other countries and territories in the southwest Pacific Ocean region.
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In March 2015, Brazil reported a large outbreak of rash illness, soon identified as Zika virus infection, and in July 2015, found to be associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome (a rare auto-immune disease in which the immune system begins to attack the nerve cells).
Outbreaks and evidence of transmission soon appeared throughout the Americas, Africa, and other regions of the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) mentions that till date, a total of 86 countries and territories have reported evidence of mosquito-transmitted Zika infection.
Zika’s passage to India
There’s no clear data on the outbreaks of Zika virus in India but the country has witnessed outbreaks in 2017 and 2018, with hundreds of cases reported in western Gujarat and Rajasthan states, as well as the central state of Madhya Pradesh, Kerala has recorded the outbreak for the first time.
What precautions to follow?
The WHO mentions that protection against mosquito bites during the day and early evening is a key measure to prevent Zika virus infection. “Special attention should be given to prevention of mosquito bites among pregnant women, women of reproductive age, and young children,” it noted.
Aedes mosquitoes breed in small collections of water around homes, schools, and work sites. “It is important to eliminate these mosquito breeding sites, and take measures including covering water storage containers, removing standing water in flower pots, and cleaning up trash and used tires,” WHO stated.
“Community initiatives are essential to support local government and public health programs to reduce mosquito breeding sites. Health authorities may also advise use of larvicides and insecticides to reduce mosquito populations and disease spread,” added WHO in its guidelines on the disease.
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Meanwhile, the United States’ Centres for Disease Control and Prevention warns that pregnant women should avoid travel to areas reporting an Zika outbreak.
The disease, also spreads by bodily fluids and sexual transmission is common. Hence, the health agencies like CDC and WHO also emphasise use of contraceptive measures and caution against unprotected sex.
Symptoms and treatment of Zika virus
There is no treatment available for Zika virus infection.
Symptoms of Zika virus infection are usually mild. WHO stated that people with symptoms such as fever, rash, or arthralgia should get plenty of rest, drink fluids, and treat pain and fever with common medicines. If symptoms worsen, they should seek medical care and advice.
Pregnant women living in areas with Zika transmission or who develop symptoms of Zika virus infection should seek medical attention for laboratory testing and other clinical care.
Also, no vaccine is yet available for the prevention or treatment of Zika virus infection. “Development of a Zika vaccine remains an active area of research,” WHO stated in its fact sheet on Zika virus.