Must To Know About Zika Virus

A brief review on ZIKA virus infection (ZIKV)

 

History and Origin:

Zika virus was isolated for the first time from the serum of a pyrexial rhesus monkey gaoled in the canopy of Zika Forest. The virus was isolated for the second time from a lot of A. africanus again in the same forest. The virus has been named ‘Zika’ after the locality from where it was isolated and discovered.

Economic importance:

The ZIKA virus (ZIKV) is related to several other viruses i.e. Yellow fever, Dengue, West Nile, and Japanese encephalitis viruses. ZIKV is an emergent mosquito borne pathogen, a type of flavivirus (family flaviviridae) which caused an outbreak of comparatively mild disease characterized by rash, arthralgia, and conjunctivitis on Yap Island, federated states of Micronesia in the south western Pacific Ocean in the year 2007. It is basically a single stranded RNA virus, of clinical importance and its closest relative is Spondweni virus, the other member of its clade.

Distribution and recent epidemics:

The disease of ZIKV is mainly restricted to Africa and South Asia before its epidemic emergence in Pacific region in 2007. So, overall Zika virus is reported to distribute in Africa, South America, South Asia and Pacific region. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Zika virus can be allocated into separate African and Asian lineages; both emerged from East Africa during the late 1800s or early 1900s. The Asian lineage originated during its migration from Africa to Southeast Asia, where it was first detected in Malaysia. From there, Zika virus spread to the Pacific Islands, distinctly to Yap and French Polynesia, then gradually to New Caledonia, Cook Islands, Easter Island, and the USA.

Transmission:

Mosquito acquisition of the virus likely to occur during a blood meal; after uptake of the virus replicates and probable transmission to a reservoir animal at the next blood meal. Isolation of the virus or of anti-Zika virus antibodies from various nonhuman primates and other wild and domestic animals confirms multiple animal reservoirs. One study evaluated the kinetics of Zika virus infectivity in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes by using blood-feeding membranes.

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Disease symptoms & diagnosis of ZIKV:

In humans, ZIKV infection is diagnosed by characteristic features such as mild fever (37.8°C–38.5°C); arthritis, notably of small joints of hands and feet; conjunctivitis; headache; myalgia, retro-orbital pain; and cutaneous rash. ZIKV infection is believed to be asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic in maximum cases. Thus, Zika can be misdiagnosed during the acute (viremic) phase because of nonspecific influenza like signs and symptoms. Haemorrhagic signs have not been reported in ZIKV-infected patients. However neurologic problems, including Guillain-Barré syndrome, have been observed.  

Biological confirmation of ZIKV infections is frequently based on detection of virus RNA in serum by using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Relatively few laboratories have proper infrastructures to develop IgM against ZIKV for detection by ELISA. In recent past, Gourinat and others, investigated and evaluated the diagnostic utility of urine as a source for detection of ZIKV RNA by real-time RT-PCR.

Management & prevention:

Precise treatment or vaccine is not available for Zika virus infection. Management is helpful and includes antipyretics, analgesics, fluids and rest. Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be eluded until dengue is completely cured because of the jeopardy for haemorrhage among dengue patients. Other general measures focus on prevention of mosquito bites, including individual protection (e.g. bed nets, insect repellents, light-coloured clothing, long pants), particularly during known Aedes aegypti peak activity (biting) hours (early morning and late afternoon). Community-level approaches target mosquito breeding through elimination of potential egg-laying sites (e.g. potted plant saucers, used tires, water reservoirs) by drying wet environments or using insecticide treatment. Pregnant women residing in countries that are not endemic to Zika virus, are advised not to travel to affected countries. Men who live in or have travelled to an area of active Zika virus transmission and who have a pregnant partner should abstain from sexual activity.

Results & Discussion

Zika virus has been avowed a public health emergency. Around 1.3 million people have been affected solely in Brazil, and almost 20 countries or territories have reported local transmission of the virus during 201. By virtue of air travel and international trade, further likely to spread into non epidemic regions, and potential transmission risk is possible in locations with competent mosquito vectors.