What is Zika virus and how does it affect babies

Recently, Zika virus has frequently occurred in Brazil and other places, and there are outbreaks in many countries and regions. Friends who travel abroad must be more careful, especially families with babies. So what is Zika virus and what impact does it have on babies?

Effects of Zika virus on infants

Recently, the Zika virus, which is transmitted by mosquito bites, is causing an epidemic in Brazil. This is a virus that may induce microcephaly in newborns. Although the Brazilian Ministry of Health has warned pregnant women traveling to the country to consult a doctor first, the Rio Olympic Organizing Committee and the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism have stated that the virus will not affect the two major events of the Rio Olympics and the Brazilian Carnival.

Like Ebola, Zika can be transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. Only about 20% of people infected with Zika will experience mild symptoms, such as fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis, which usually disappear in less than a week. However, if a pregnant woman is infected, the fetus may be affected, resulting in microcephaly or even death.

What is Zika virus

"Zika" is the Ugandan word "Zika", which means "weeds". In 1947, scientists caught some monkeys in Uganda and put them in cages for research on yellow fever. One of the monkeys suddenly developed symptoms of fever. Scientists isolated a virus from the monkey. Because these monkeys grew in the weeds of Uganda, scientists named the virus "Zika virus". In early 1948, people isolated the Zika virus from local African Aedes mosquitoes. Serological studies have confirmed that humans can also be infected. "Zika virus" belongs to the flavivirus family and is a close relative of Japanese encephalitis virus, dengue virus, and West Nile virus. In 1956, animal experiments proved that Zika virus is transmitted through mosquito bites. Later investigations found that Zika virus is widely prevalent in animals (especially monkeys) in some countries and regions in Africa and southern Asia.

What are the symptoms of Zika virus?

Zika virus is transmitted between humans and animals through mosquito bites. It is a zoonotic disease, and the human disease it causes is called "Zika fever." After a mosquito bites a person, the disease occurs after an incubation period of about 3 to 12 days.

The main symptoms of Zika fever are mild fever, headache, fatigue, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis, redness and swelling of the palms and soles, dry and cracked lips, and a tongue red like a strawberry.

Its clinical manifestations are very similar to those of dengue fever and chikungunya fever, and all are transmitted by mosquito bites and have similar endemic areas. Therefore, it is easy to misdiagnose, and laboratory serological tests are often required to confirm the diagnosis.

How is Zika virus treated?

Zika fever is a self-limiting disease with no specific drug treatment. After the onset of the disease, it mainly relies on symptomatic treatment and rest. Symptoms generally last for 2 to 7 days and then improve on their own without hospitalization. After infection, people can obtain lasting lifelong immunity, and there are currently no reports of reinfection after infection.

How to prevent Zika virus

Prevention of Zika virus infection is similar to dengue fever, mainly to eliminate mosquitoes and prevent mosquito bites. The mosquito that spreads Zika virus is Aedes mosquito, which likes to breed in pots, basins, tiles, cans or stagnant water in pots and potholes in the corners of indoors and outdoors. Therefore, it is necessary to "turn over the jars and cans, remove the stagnant water" to eliminate the breeding grounds of Aedes mosquitoes. At present, there are no cases of Zika virus infection reported in my country, but tourists going to countries or regions where Zika virus is prevalent should pay attention to prevent mosquito bites.