Zika Virus: A red alert for everybody
The rate at which we now notice some outbreaks of diseases is becoming so un becoming as countries around the world gulp for answers to solving this particular trend that has taken us aback. Though, the WHO may seem to be working tirelessly, scientist may wonder aloud as they diligently search for cutting edge vaccines to breaking this medical anomalies.
Written: Dickson Eyinmosan
ZIKA VIRUS: To some, the name may sound strange to the ear, to others, it could be some sort of sexy name cell for animals while to some others, its could be a sign of red alertness. Be that as it may, the aforementioned is not far fetched in the medical lexis. Zika Virus is a mosquito borne infection, transmitted by daytime active mosquitoes which has been isolated from a number of species in the genus Aedes, such as A.aegypti and arboreal mosquitoes such as A. africanus, A. furcifer, A hensilli etc. A member of the Flaviviridae virus family and the Flavivirus genus. In human, it causes a mild illness known as zika fever, zika or zika disease which since the 1950s has been known to occur within a narrow equatorial belt from Africa to Asia.
Zika disease is related to yellow fever and west Nile disease which are caused by other arthropod-borne flaviviruses. An individual becomes infected by the bite of an infected mosquito. Though, some of its symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes which obviously can last from a few days to about a week.
Flavivirus is a genus of viruses in the family of flaviviridae. This genus includes the west Nile disease, dengue virus, flick borne virus, encephalitis virus, yellow fever, zika virus and several others which may cause encephalitis. Flaviviruses are named from yellow fever virus, the type for the family. The word Flavas means yellow in Latin.
However, with it recent outbreak in some parts of South America, with Brazil experiencing the largest known outbreak of zika, though most cases recorded in the north east, others have been detected in the south east, an area which includes Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.
It recent outbreak has been linked to a possible medical condition known as Microcephaly, a rare neurological condition which results in babies being born with extremely and abnormally small heads, often serious and can results in the malfunctioning of the brain.
Subsequently, the heads fails to grow, while the face continues to develop at a normal rate , producing a child with a small head and a receding forehead, and a loose, often wrinkled scalp. As the child grows older, the smallness of the skull becomes more obvious, although is often underweight and dwarfed. Development of motor functions and speech may be delayed. Hyperactivity and intellectual disability are common occurrences.
Micro which means small and cephaly refers to the head as research shows that most children with microcephaly usually have a small brain and intellectual disability due to the abnormality and extremity in the size of their small head.
Zika has which has not yet be reported in the continental united states, but then, latest reports confirms a woman who fell ill with zika in Brazil and later gave birth to a brain damaged baby in Hawaii. Brazil has reported 3, 893 suspected cases of microcephaly according to the WHO last Friday which announced that it was 30times more than had been reported since 2010.
According to Authorities, the virus is more prevalent with pregnant ladies who get infected with this virus and then delivers abnormal babies with neurological damage.
Similarly, with its threat as it concerns citizens of the united states, the center for disease control CDC has issued a warning to its citizens most especially pregnant ladies to avoid traveling to counties in which these virus have thus far been identified with. Though, its prevalent in certain Latin America.
In a related development, the Salvadorian vice prime of health has prompted women there not to get pregnant for at least two years echoing similar warnings in Colombia and also Jamaica.
The disease rapid spread to 21 countries and territories of the region since may 2015 is due to a lack of immunity among the population and the prevalence of the Aedes aegypti mosquito that carries the virus, the WHO said in a statement.
Zika has been isolated in the human semen, and one case of possible person-to person sexual transmission has been described. However, more evidence is needed to confirm whether sexual contact is a means of zika transmission. The statement continued.
Though, no reported case of this virus in the Africa continent yet, but then, prevention remains the fastest way of curing any kind of disease outbreak.
Written: Dickson Eyinmosan
ZIKA VIRUS: To some, the name may sound strange to the ear, to others, it could be some sort of sexy name cell for animals while to some others, its could be a sign of red alertness. Be that as it may, the aforementioned is not far fetched in the medical lexis. Zika Virus is a mosquito borne infection, transmitted by daytime active mosquitoes which has been isolated from a number of species in the genus Aedes, such as A.aegypti and arboreal mosquitoes such as A. africanus, A. furcifer, A hensilli etc. A member of the Flaviviridae virus family and the Flavivirus genus. In human, it causes a mild illness known as zika fever, zika or zika disease which since the 1950s has been known to occur within a narrow equatorial belt from Africa to Asia.
Zika disease is related to yellow fever and west Nile disease which are caused by other arthropod-borne flaviviruses. An individual becomes infected by the bite of an infected mosquito. Though, some of its symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes which obviously can last from a few days to about a week.
Flavivirus is a genus of viruses in the family of flaviviridae. This genus includes the west Nile disease, dengue virus, flick borne virus, encephalitis virus, yellow fever, zika virus and several others which may cause encephalitis. Flaviviruses are named from yellow fever virus, the type for the family. The word Flavas means yellow in Latin.
However, with it recent outbreak in some parts of South America, with Brazil experiencing the largest known outbreak of zika, though most cases recorded in the north east, others have been detected in the south east, an area which includes Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.
It recent outbreak has been linked to a possible medical condition known as Microcephaly, a rare neurological condition which results in babies being born with extremely and abnormally small heads, often serious and can results in the malfunctioning of the brain.
Subsequently, the heads fails to grow, while the face continues to develop at a normal rate , producing a child with a small head and a receding forehead, and a loose, often wrinkled scalp. As the child grows older, the smallness of the skull becomes more obvious, although is often underweight and dwarfed. Development of motor functions and speech may be delayed. Hyperactivity and intellectual disability are common occurrences.
Micro which means small and cephaly refers to the head as research shows that most children with microcephaly usually have a small brain and intellectual disability due to the abnormality and extremity in the size of their small head.
Zika has which has not yet be reported in the continental united states, but then, latest reports confirms a woman who fell ill with zika in Brazil and later gave birth to a brain damaged baby in Hawaii. Brazil has reported 3, 893 suspected cases of microcephaly according to the WHO last Friday which announced that it was 30times more than had been reported since 2010.
According to Authorities, the virus is more prevalent with pregnant ladies who get infected with this virus and then delivers abnormal babies with neurological damage.
Similarly, with its threat as it concerns citizens of the united states, the center for disease control CDC has issued a warning to its citizens most especially pregnant ladies to avoid traveling to counties in which these virus have thus far been identified with. Though, its prevalent in certain Latin America.
In a related development, the Salvadorian vice prime of health has prompted women there not to get pregnant for at least two years echoing similar warnings in Colombia and also Jamaica.
The disease rapid spread to 21 countries and territories of the region since may 2015 is due to a lack of immunity among the population and the prevalence of the Aedes aegypti mosquito that carries the virus, the WHO said in a statement.
Zika has been isolated in the human semen, and one case of possible person-to person sexual transmission has been described. However, more evidence is needed to confirm whether sexual contact is a means of zika transmission. The statement continued.
Though, no reported case of this virus in the Africa continent yet, but then, prevention remains the fastest way of curing any kind of disease outbreak.
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