Zika- another virus playinghavoc?
It’s been around since 1947 with outbreaks in South East Asia, Africa
and the Pacific Islands but now this virus has turned up in South America and
neighbouring islands with 1.5 million cases confirmed.
The present episode is associated with microcephaly in children born to
women who contract the disease. Except in the odd case, no association was
noted but a definite relationship has been noted since 2013.
What is it really? It is a viral illness caused by an RNA virus which
has as its vector the Aedes mosquito mainly egypti but albopictus and
polynesiensis have also been mentioned. Patients
present with mild fever, sore eyes, headache, joint pain and a red, bumpy
rash. The illness lasts from a few days to a week.
The only treatment advised is rest, painkillers and drinking of plenty of
fluids. Only one in five infected show symptoms but all can transmit it via the
vector. Other modes are transplacental and from an infected mother during
delivery. There is potential risk of transmission by transfusion of
contaminated blood. Diagnosis is by detection of viral RNA. Viraemic period
seems to be short but the virus has been detected in the urine for up to 10
days.
There is no vaccination or preventive drug yet. Differential includes dengue fever, chikengunya and malaria.
Treatment is symptomatic but aspirin and NSAIDs are discouraged because of
increased risk of haemorrhagic syndrome as well as Reye’s syndrome in children
and teens.
Prevention: Public Health control measures of vector management and reduction of
breeding grounds i.e. stagnant water, pots, used tyres, tree holes and rock
pools are highly recommended and also keeping drinking water stoppered is
important. Other simple measures are wearing of long sleeved clothes and use of
mosquito nets and insecticides.
Microcephaly as the dreaded new complication has been suggested after
its incidence in babies born to infected mothers significantly rose since 2013.
Pregnant mothers are advised not to travel to affected areas. Mosquito control
in aircrafts is already been done is a simple but important measure. Has Sri
Lanka got lessons to learn from this new threat?
Sent by Zita Perera Subasinghe
References:
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