Zika Virus: Stay Informed on Symptoms and Prevention
Zika virus can cause serious health issues. In Maharashtra, the virus is spreading rapidly. A pregnant woman has tested positive. More than seven cases have been registered in Maharashtra. WHO reports say that the symptoms of the virus do not appear in its initial days. The virus is mosquito-borne and spread by biting Aedes mosquitoes.
What is Zika Virus?
Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus. Aedes mosquitoes transmit this virus to humans. This is the same mosquito that spreads dengue and chikungunya. A. aegypti and A. albopictus transmit the virus during the day. The first Zika case was noticed in Uganda in 1947. However, it has slowly affected nearby areas and almost every country. In 2024, Maharashtra is reporting more cases of this virus.
The virus affects both males and females. But, if a mosquito bites a pregnant woman, it destroys the fetus’s brain, and the baby is born with a small head. In the Asian region, the cases of Zika have been observed to decrease from 2017 but have suddenly increased.
Zika Virus 2024 in Maharashtra, India
The first case of Zika in India was identified in 2016. The virus is connected with Guillain-Barre syndrome and microcephaly. Due to monsoon conditions in Mumbai and Pune, mosquito breeding has risen.
According to doctors, pregnant women are the main victims of this virus. More than seven cases are registered in the Maharashtra region. Moreover, precautions, such as wearing long-sleeved clothes and using mosquito nets, are important. Some other sources of protection are Odomos and insect repellents.
The complications can be seen in the pregnant woman, and it can lead to the death of the fetus. The infection affects the fetus’s brain. In worst cases, it causes high muscle tone, eye abnormalities and hearing loss in babies.
Symptoms of Zika Virus
Some symptoms of Zika appear in the initial days but do not last. They appear after 10-14 days of infection and last two to seven days. The symptoms are rash, fever, muscle and joint pain, conjunctivitis, malaise, and headache. Some less common symptoms of this viral disease are fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and swollen lymph.
Moreover, in most cases, no death case has been registered, but it can end up affecting the unborn babies. A pregnant woman should consult the doctor immediately if these symptoms appear. The tests should run and diagnose weather it is Zika or something else.
Transmission of Zika Virus
The virus can spread in people through a mosquito. Humans can transmit it through various sources, such as:
1. Mosquito bites
Mosquito bites are the primary transmission of the virus. Infected mosquitoes inject labium into the human body and spread the virus. Especially during the monsoon season, these mosquitoes activate and infect during the day. The Aedes mosquito infects and spreads dengue and chikungunya.
2. Sexual transmission
The virus can transmitted sexually. The infected mosquito bites the man and stays in the semen long. Through sexual intercourse, the virus travels from the male body to the female. Many countries report high cases of sexually transmitted infections. The countries include Argentina, Australia, France, Italy, New Zealand, and the United States.
3. Blood or Organ transfusion
Transmission through blood or organ transfusion is rare to find. However, a few cases have been registered from November 2013 to February 2014. This virus affects almost 2.8% of organ donors, according to the reports.
4. Pregnancy
The mosquito bites the pregnant woman, which travels through the blood to the fetus. It enters the fetus’s body and damages the brain cells. A child born with infected blood shows smaller heads than a normal one. It mainly affects the women whose immune system is weak. Failing to take the precautions at the right time can lead to miscarriage.
Should We Worried About This Virus?
The number of cases in Maharashtra is rising continuously. However, it is important to know that the virus is not deadly but affects the next generation. It stays inside the semen and also affects pregnant women. So, in both ways, the fetus suffers. It is a topic of worry, and taking precautions is important.
Moreover, wearing full-sleeved clothes, applying mosquito-resistant creams, and using mosquito nets are necessary. Try to avoid playing in the garden during the daytime. Keep the windows and doors shut all day and use mosquito killers such as Mortine and all out.
Final Line
Aedes mosquitoes are responsible for small heads in children. The Zika Virus is transmitted mainly through infected mosquito bites. It can also be secondary through sexual transmission, blood transfusion, pregnancy, and more. Precautions such as wearing full-sleeved clothes and applying mosquito-resistant creams can be helpful. There is no Zika Virus treatment present.
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