EL SALVADOR government officials have warned women to avoid getting pregnant for two years because of the Zika virus - but what is it and what threats does it pose?
 |
| Zika virus: 1.5 million people have no been infected |
Public Health officials in El Salvador have urged women to avoid pregnancy until 2018 to prevent birth defects from the Zika virus.
Other scientists are also warning people living in tropical climates about the virus and it’s rapid spread through the Americas.
Worryingly, Texas and Hawaii have recently reported cases. Leading experts from the US National Institute of Health said: "Its current explosive pandemic re-emergence is, therefore, truly remarkable.”
What is the Zika virus?
The virus - a once rare disease confined to the depths of subtropical Africa - was first identified in Uganda in 1947.
It is an “arbovirus” - spread by mosquitoes and belongs to the same family as dengue fever and the chikungunya virus.
Because the virus has been so rare prior to 2015, there has been little research in to the virus, meaning it is difficult to clinically diagnose someone.
It is spread by a certain type of mosquito that transmits the disease when it bites someone infected with Zika, and then goes on to bite another person.
 |
| The virus is transmitted by mosquitoes |
Where have cases been reported?
Previous outbreaks were confined to small regions in Africa, South East Asia and the Pacific Islands.
In May 2015 a case was reported in Brazil and has since been reported in Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Suriname and Venezuela.
There have since been 1.5 million confirmed infections.
What does it cause?
Only one in five of the infected is thought to develop symptoms including, mild fever, sore eyes, headache, joint pain and a red, bumpy rash.
The illness is mild with symptoms lasting several days to a week.
Those who have it are advised to rest, drink plenty of fluids and take medicines to reduce pain and fever.
Because four out of five don’t develop symptoms, virologists are concerned that it could be easily spread by people who don’t know they have the Zika virus.
 |
| Previous outbreaks were confined to small regions in Africa, South East Asia and the Pacific Islands |
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said no deaths have been caused as a result of the Zika virus.
The biggest concern - and why so many pregnant women are being urged to avoid pregnancy - is Microcephaly.
Microcephaly is a birth defect being associated to women who have been infected by the virus. It is caused by below normal brain development in utero.
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.
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 rates of microcephaly in Brazil have shot up by 1,792 per cent since 2013 to 2015.
 |
| There has been a potential link between birth defects and the Zika virus |
How is it treated?
There is currently no vaccine or drug treatment, but hospitalisation rates are low.
People should avoid getting bitten by using insect repellents, covering up with long-sleeved clothes and keep doors and windows closed.
The US Center for Disease Control has even advised pregnant women not to travel to affected areas.
See your healthcare provider if you develop the symptoms described above and have visited an area where Zika is present.
Post a Comment Blogger Facebook Disqus