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Know Zika Now

zikazika

Zika, the mosquito-borne virus captured international attention in early 2015 when an outbreak hit Brazil, where almost 7,000 cases were reported. Since then, researchers have been linking the virus to neurogical disorders, such as the Guillain-Barre Syndrome characterized by the sudden weakening of muscles; and Microcephaly, a congenital disorder that causes babies to be born with underdeveloped brains and abnormally small heads.
As information about the virus continuously evolves, Zika’s reach continues to widen. Currently, it affects 57 countries, including those in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Islands.

The Mosquito and Transmission

In 1952, the first human Zika cases were detected in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. In the next decades, its outbreak was reported on the island of Yap, located in the Caroline Islands, part of the Federal States of Micronesia.
Zika is carried by arthropods, particularly mosquitoes and ticks. It is usually transmitted when an Aedes mosquito bites a person with an active infection, and then spreads the virus through consequent bites. It is the same type of mosquito that carries Dengue fever, yellow fever, and the Chikungunya virus. These mosquitoes are aggressive daytime biters, but may also bite at night. Recently, researchers confirmed that ZIka could be sexually transmitted.

Signs and Symptoms

In the majority of cases, Zika Virus infection is asymptomatic, which means that victims do not exhibit the following symptoms until 3 to 12 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito:
• Mild fever, headache, muscle pain and joint pain
• Nausea, vomiting, and general malaise
• Pink eye (inflammation of conjuctiva)
• Skin rash on the face, neck, trunk and upper arms, which can spread to the palms or soles
• Sensitivity to light.
• Lack of appetite, diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, and dizziness

Most people fully recover from the illness within 7 days. But pregnant women are among those who are in most danger when infected by the disease, since the virus can be passed on to the fetus, which may suffer from the neurological defect, Microcephaly.

Zika in PH

Our country confirmed its first Zika case last August this year. A 45 year-old woman from Iloilo City tested positive for both strains of the virus, after complaining about skin rash and joint pains, which are common symptoms of this virus. Later, two more cases were reported from the same household. In September, the virus was reported in three provinces. Seven patients came from Iloilo City, one from Cebu and one from Laguna province. Recently, ten more cases were added to the list.
According to the Department of Health, the Philippines has a total of 33 cases. The first pregnant case in the country is a 22-year-old from Cebu. Initial examination through ultrasound revealed no detectable fetal abnormalities.
For more details on combatting Zika, Dengue and Chikungunya, watch this: