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Zika fever is another infectious disease from tropical regions that is transmitted by mosquitoes. Mainly found in Africa and South America. In Europe, only single cases were recorded, in Poland the first infections were found in 2016. The latest discovery of scientists shows that the Zika virus easily mutates, which can lead to an outbreak of a pandemic.
- Zika fever (ZIka) is on the World Health Organization (WHO) list of the ten diseases with the highest epidemic potential
- The Zika virus is spread by mosquitoes, although it is also possible to pass it through the placenta and through sexual contact
- The disease is usually mild, but it can cause serious neurological complications, especially in newborns
- There is no effective targeted treatment yet, so avoiding the risk of infection is key
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
An outbreak of the Zika virus is quite possible, scientists warn. A single mutation is enough for the pathogen to spread rapidly. At the same time, they recall that a few years ago, the Zika virus caused many babies to be born with brain damage after their mothers were infected during pregnancy.
Zika – one step away from the outbreak
During the coronavirus pandemic, epidemiologists are trying to do everything to be prepared for the next possible epidemic. Scientists from the La Jolla Institute for Immunology argue that we are not far from the outbreak. Their research was published in the journal Cell Reports.
They show that the Zika virus can change very easily, creating new variants. These strains, in turn, can transmit the pathogen much more effectively, even in countries that have developed immunity to previous Zika outbreaks.
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This is evidenced by an experiment that scientists conducted on mice using virus-infected mosquito cells. When Zika infiltrated the mice from these cells, genetic mutations easily developed. It follows that it can mutate and spread even among animals resistant to its related virus that causes dengue fever, a tropical disease.
The Zika virus variant we detected in the experiment has evolved to a point where the cross-resistance obtained against dengue disease in mice was no longer sufficient, says lead author of the study, Prof. Sujan Shrest. In his opinion, if such a variant began to dominate in natural conditions, it would be a new threat.
Zika virus like SARS-CoV-2
How real is it? Prof. Jonath Ball from the University of Nottingham believes that this possibility cannot be ruled out, especially after we learned that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can easily mutate rapidly and create new variants. Other viruses can also show such great variability.
Prof. Paul Hunter of the University of East Anglia confirms that the immunity obtained against dengue fever provides only partial protection against the new variant of the Zika virus.
Dr. Clare Taylor of the Society for Applied Microbiology points out in an interview with the BBC that conclusions drawn from laboratory studies have limitations, but “there is a risk of dangerous variants appearing during the normal Zika transmission cycle, which is a reminder of how much monitoring and tracking virus evolution is. “.
Zika. What kind of illness is that?
Zika fever is an acute infectious disease caused by the Zika virus (ZIKV). The virus is transmitted from mosquitoes and is related to other viruses spread this way, causing, among others, dengue fever, yellow fever, West Nile fever, Japanese encephalitis and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE).
The main host of the virus is humans, the pathogen can also attack animals, especially monkeys and small rodents.
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The disease is usually mild, and in 60-80 percent. cases in an asymptomatic manner. The symptoms and course are similar to those of flu. The symptoms can also be confusing with those found in other arbovirus diseases, so Zika can be misdiagnosed as dengue or chikungunya.
Zika can be more serious in pregnant women, people with reduced immunity and those suffering from chronic diseases.
Zika: where is it performing?
The Zika virus most likely appeared in Uganda between 1892 and 1943 in various species of monkeys. It was first isolated in a macaque from the Zika forest in Uganda in 1947. The first human cases of Zika were diagnosed in Uganda and Tanzania in the late 40s and in Nigeria in the early 50s. From the 60s to the 80s, incidental cases of the Zika virus in humans were reported. By 2007, only 14 infections were recorded worldwide.
The first Zika epidemic occurred in 2007 on the Pacific island of Yap (Micronesia). 5 thousand were infected. people. Another epidemic broke out in 2013 in French Polynesia and other nearby Pacific islands. In 2015, the disease was diagnosed in Brazil. Then it was up to 7 thousand. the course of infections was mild in most cases, no deaths were reported. Zika soon appeared in the countries of South and Central America.
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In the European part of the globe, isolated cases of the virus have been detected in Spain, Germany, France and Austria. The infections concerned people who returned from the areas where the pathogen was present. Poland is considered a virus-free country, the first cases were found in 2016 in two Poles previously residing in the Dominican Republic and Colombia.
«There are no environmental and climatic conditions in Poland that could cause the disease to spread in our country. Therefore, the risk of infections and illnesses caused by the Zika virus in people living in Poland is related to tourist trips to geographic regions of the common occurrence of mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus »- we read on the GIS website.
According to WHO information, the presence of the ZIka virus has been found so far in 86 countries and regions of the world. Its area of distribution coincides with that of dengue fever, yellow fever and chikungunya fever, which are transmitted by the same species of mosquitoes.
The most recent epidemic occurred in India last November. Over 100 cases of infection have been reported.
Protect yourself from mosquito attacks by using appropriate repellent preparations. We recommend the Handy kit for ticks, mosquitoes and flies, which you can buy at Medonet Market. You will receive a disinfecting spray as a gift for purchase.
Zika: symptoms
The incubation period of the disease is three to 12 days after a mosquito bite. Symptoms of ZIka virus infection do not usually last longer than a week, and may resemble flu-like lesions.
The most common symptoms include:
- moderate fever (below 39 degrees Celsius)
- headaches,
- muscle aches,
- joint pain (mainly in the hands and feet),
- eye pain,
- conjunctivitis,
- itchy, lumpy rash (on the face, neck, trunk and limbs).
Zika fever will help cause neurological complications. They most often occur in newborn babies who are infected by their mothers during pregnancy or during childbirth. There is then a risk of serious brain defects or microcephaly (microcephaly).
In adults, the Zika virus can lead to the development of Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Zika: routes of infection
The ZIka virus is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes (A. aegypti, A. albopictus). These mosquitoes are active during the day, mainly in the morning and late afternoon, and they are found both in tropical forests and in cities.
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Other routes of transmission of the Zika virus include placental transmission (from an infected mother to her child), blood transfusion, and sexual contact.
Zika: recognition
Diagnosis of infections is based on the history (information about where to stay) and clinical symptoms (these may, however, be confused with diseases such as dengue and chikungunya).
PCR tests (during viremia, up to 5-7 days from the onset of symptoms) and ELISA tests detecting IgM and IgG antibodies can also be used for diagnosis.
Zika: treatment
Treatment of Zika virus infection is purely symptomatic, consisting of painkillers, antipyretics and antipyretics. There is currently no vaccine, no antiviral drugs, or no anti-infection drugs.
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When there are neurological complications, neurological treatment is used.
Zika: prevention
To minimize the risk of infection, the same rules apply as for other mosquito-borne diseases. Wear appropriate insect protection clothing with long legs and sleeves, and cover your feet and head.
You can buy an antibacterial and antiviral disinfectant at Medonet Market.
You should also use repellents, use mosquito nets and stay in air-conditioned rooms when mosquitoes are active.
Due to the possibility of sexual transmission of the Zika virus, you should also avoid sexual contact in areas where the disease occurs, and use condoms during travel and for two weeks after returning from the areas of the epidemic.
Also read:
- In 1967, the Marburg virus appeared in Germany. The sick looked like ghosts
- Ranking of the most dangerous zoonotic viruses. Can they trigger another pandemic?
- Coronavirus is not the first. The biggest epidemics in recent years