1. Where is Zika virus present? Zhu Cuiyun, Department of Infection, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center
Zika virus is found in tropical areas with high mosquito populations and is known to be endemic in the Americas, Africa, Oceania and the Pacific Islands.
Zika virus was discovered in 1947, however, for many years only scattered human cases were found in Africa and South Asia, and the first documented outbreak of Zika virus disease occurred in the Pacific Ocean in 2007, and since 2013, cases and outbreaks have been reported in the Western Pacific, the Americas, and Africa. Large urban outbreaks of Zika virus disease may occur globally as the environments in which mosquitoes can live and breed have expanded due to urbanization and globalization.
As of February 5, 2016, there have been 31 countries and territories with Zika virus disease outbreaks, 27 of which are in the Americas.
2. How do people get Zika virus?
People can get Zika virus after being bitten by an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito – the same type of mosquito that transmits dengue fever, chikungunya fever and yellow fever.
3. What are the symptoms of Zika virus disease?
Zika virus often causes mild illness. People will develop symptoms within a few days of being bitten by an infected mosquito, and most people with Zika virus disease will develop a mild fever and rash. Others may also experience conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, and fatigue. These symptoms usually disappear after 2-7 days.
4. What are the possible complications of Zika virus?
Because no major Zika virus outbreaks were recorded before 2007, little is known about the complications of this disease.
The first Zika virus disease outbreak occurred in French Polynesia in 2013-2014 in conjunction with a dengue fever outbreak, during which national health authorities reported an unusual rise in Guillain C Barre syndrome. This impact is being investigated retrospectively, including the potential role of Zika virus and other possible factors, and the same rise in Guillain C. Barre syndrome was observed in Brazil in 2015 when the first Zika virus outbreak occurred.
In 2015, local health authorities in Brazil also observed an increase in the number of infants born with microcephaly at the same time as the Zika virus outbreak. Health authorities and agencies are currently investigating a possible association between microcephaly and Zika virus, among other possible factors. However, further investigation and research is needed before we can better understand any possible association.
5. Should pregnant women be concerned about Zika virus?
Health authorities are currently investigating a possible association between Zika virus infection in pregnant women and microcephaly in their infants. Until more is known, pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant should take extra care to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
If you are pregnant and suspect that you may have Zika virus disease, see your doctor during your pregnancy and be monitored closely.
6. What is microcephaly?
Microcephaly is a rare condition in which a baby’s head appears abnormally small. It is caused by abnormal brain development while the baby is in the womb or during pregnancy. Infants and children with microcephaly often experience difficulties with brain development as they grow.
Microcephaly can be caused by a range of environmental and genetic factors, such as Down syndrome; exposure to drugs, alcohol, and other toxins in the womb; and rubella infection during pregnancy.
7. How is Zika virus disease treated?
Symptoms of Zika virus disease are treated with common pain and fever-reducing medications, and with rest and plenty of fluids. If symptoms worsen, the patient should seek medical attention. There is no cure or vaccine for this disease.
8. How is Zika virus disease diagnosed?
For most patients who receive a diagnosis of Zika virus disease, the diagnosis is based on the patient’s symptoms and recent medical history (e.g., mosquito bites or travel to areas known to harbor Zika virus). Laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis can be made through a blood test.
9. What should I do to protect myself?
The best way to protect yourself from Zika virus disease is to prevent mosquito bites. Preventing mosquito bites will protect people from Zika virus disease and other mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever, chikungunya fever and yellow fever.
This may be accomplished by using insect repellents; wearing clothing that covers as many body parts as possible (preferably light-colored clothing); using physical barriers such as screens, tightly closed doors and windows; and sleeping under a mosquito net. It is also important to empty, clean or cover containers that may hold water, such as buckets, flower pots or car tires, to remove areas where mosquitoes can breed.
10. Should I avoid traveling to areas where Zika virus is present?
Travelers should stay informed about Zika virus and other mosquito-borne diseases. If in doubt, seek the advice of local health and travel authorities.
To protect yourself from Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases, everyone should take these steps to avoid mosquito bites. Pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant should follow this advice, and local health authorities may also be consulted when traveling to areas where there is already a Zika virus outbreak.
Based on the available evidence, WHO does not recommend any travel or trade restrictions in relation to Zika virus disease. As a precautionary measure, some governments may make public health and travel recommendations to their own populations based on their own estimates of available evidence and local risk factors.
11. What is WHO doing?
To help countries prepare for and respond to Zika, WHO works with ministries of health to improve laboratory capacity to detect the virus, make recommendations for clinical care and follow-up of infected individuals (in collaboration with national professional associations and experts), and encourage countries to monitor and report on the spread of the virus and the occurrence of complications.
WHO is also coordinating with countries that have reported Zika virus outbreaks and other partners to investigate the potential relationship between Zika virus and microcephaly, among other issues.
(Source: http://www.who.int/features/qa/zika/en/ Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Cuiyun Zhu, Editor)