The Zika virus belongs to the Flaviviridae family of viruses. Daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes, such A. aegypti and A. albopictus, are the ones that transmit it.
Its name derives from the Ugandan Ziika Forest, where the virus was initially discovered in 1947.
In Pune, the Zika virus was discovered to have infected a 55-year-old woman on July 2.
Following that, Maharashtra began to report cases of the Zika virus on a regular basis; as of right present, there have been seven documented cases.
The main mosquito vectors of the Zika virus, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, are found in considerable numbers throughout India.
All states are advised by the Union Health Ministry that pregnant women should avoid this situation.
Via sexual contact, blood infection, or the placenta from an infected mother to the kid following delivery, this virus can spread quickly.
As a result, a pregnant woman should exercise caution when having a first-trimester ultrasound.
Eighty percent of Zika virus infections typically show no symptoms at all, although fever, rash, headache, joint and muscle pain, or conjunctivitis should not be disregarded.
We should also try to keep our surroundings clean so as to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes.
As of right now, there is no vaccine to treat or prevent Zika virus infection. Research on creating a Zika vaccine is still ongoing.
By avoiding sexual activity, wearing condoms, and protecting yourself from mosquito bites, you can avoid contracting the Zika virus.
Patients who have been suspected of having the Zika virus should be assessed and treated for dengue or chikungunya, if possible.
Spreading awareness about the virus is important to initiate its prevention.