CONFIRMED: Three Britons diagnosed with mosquito-bite Zika virus

THREE British travellers are confirmed to have contracted the Zika virus, in a stark warning to holidaymakers.

 

The Zika outbreak has affected Central and South America and the Carribean

 

The three woman were diagnosed with the mosquito-borne disease after visits to Colombia, Suriname and Guyana, according to Public Health England.

An outbreak of the virus is currently being spread across South America, Central America and the Caribbean. 

It has also become a threat in the US, where cases have been confirmed in Florida and Illinois.

No other information on the cases have been provided by Public Health England, other than: “ZIKV does not occur naturally in the UK.”

 

More research into this relatively unknown virus has begun

 

Babies born with the birth defect have a below-average head size often caused by failure of brain to grow at a healthy and normal rate. 

The severity can vary, but some babies are left with brains so underdeveloped they might experience walking, sight, hearing and learning difficulties. Children who survive face severe disabilities and possible seizures.

Only 20 per cent of those infected show symptoms of the short-lived virus.

Typically symptoms include low-grade fever, joint pain, a rash, conjunctivitis, headache, muscle and eye pain.

There is no antiviral treatments for the virus and people are advised to rest, drink plenty of fluids and take pain medication. 

ZIKV has been linked to the birth defect microcephaly, causing babies to be born with deformed heads.

 

There is no antiviral so far for Zika

 

Serious complications and hospitalisation rates are low and uncommon.

Although a link between the virus and the birth defect has not been confirmed, Brazil has experienced an exponential rise in babies being diagnosed with microcephaly - something that has coincided with the Zika outbreak.

The US Center for Disease Control has even advised pregnant women not to travel to affected areas, while El Salvador are encouraging women in the country not to fall pregnant until 2018.

Dr Katie Geary, Medical Director at International SOS told NewsNewsBlog.blogspot.com: “As a newly emerging infection, its relative threat and risk are yet to be fully identified and determined. The time from bite to development of the disease is not yet known, but it appears to be a disease that is in the main short lived. Currently it is wise to treat this disease with caution and to take all precautions as advised by national (Public Health England), local and personal (GP) health bodies.

“We expect that further cases of Zika virus will be seen in other countries in the Americas in the coming weeks and months.

  

Pregnant women are advised to talk to their antenatal team

 

“Measures to avoid bites from the mosquito and seeking early medical care if you have concerns you have the disease are essential.

“All returning travellers to these regions, and in fact any area where there are tropical diseases, should seek early medical advice if they fall ill and notify their health practitioner of their travel history. Travellers should be aware that Zika, Dengue, Malaria and Chikungunya will present as a flu-like illness as the early symptoms. 

“When they seek medical care, they must also ensure that they tell them their travel history so that the relevant tests for these diseases can be undertaken.  

“If women returning from these areas are concerned that they may have been exposed, they should seek further specialist care from their antenatal team.”