Zika virus: Expert Suggestion And Prevention

A 5-year-old girl in Karnataka tested positive for the Zika virus and was advised to take precautions. This disease is caused by a virus that is primarily transmitted by the Aedes mosquito. Which bites during the day. Symptoms include mild fever, rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, or a headache.

A mosquito-borne flavivirus has been linked to an increase in the occurrence of microcephaly, congenital Zika syndrome, and Guillain-Barre syndrome. Several outbreaks of ZVD have been reported from Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands since its discovery in the Zika forest of Uganda in 1947. also read:Meteor Shower: The Geminids Appears

Causes and Symptoms

The Zika virus is mainly caused by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. It is spread among people through sexual contact, blood transfusion etc. People infected with the Zika virus generally have mild symptoms. The most common symptoms of the Zika virus are fever, rash, headache, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain etc. However, the Zika virus usually remains in the blood of an infected person for about a week and that is why these symptoms also last for a few days to a week.

Experts recommend the following steps to prevent the Zika virus:
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, senior consultant, internal medicine, Paras Hospital, told HT Lifestyle that having unprotected sex with an infected individual or being bitten by an infected Aedes mosquito can lead to the diseases.

Experts advise people to avoid stagnant water collection, cleaning pots, and coolers to avoid becoming infected with the Zika virus. Larvicidal measures such as permethrin are preferred. Experts also advised wearing full clothing and light clothing when going out and for children.

Experts also advised both men and women to use condoms for safe sex. Abstain from sexual activity for two to three months if Zika is suspected or while travelling to an area where Zika is still being transmitted.

Experts advise avoiding travel to areas with ongoing Zika transmission through travel health and vaccine clinics and expertise.