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Zika virus in India: Symptoms, treatment and protective measures you need to follow!
Kashmir Times. Dated: 5/29/2017 1:35:28 AM
NEW DELHI, May 28 (Agencies): Zika, the mosquito-borne disease, broke out as an epidemic in Brazil in 2015 and spread to 70 countries in the world.
In November 2016, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared that Zika was no longer a public health emergency. Earlier this month, Brazil officially declared Zika emergency over.
However, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirming the first three cases of Zika virus in India on Friday, it seems that the mosquito-borne disease is slowly spreading its wings.
The flavivirus is known to be carried by an infected Aedes species mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. Albopictus) that are also responsible for the transmission of dengue and chikungunya viruses.
All the three Indian cases were reported from the Bapunagar area of Ahmedabad which includes a pregnant lady who was tested positive in January 2017.
The WHO in a statement said,"The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare - Government of India (MoHFW) reported three laboratory-confirmed cases of Zika virus disease in Bapunagar area, Ahmedabad District, Gujarat, State, India."
This largely brings health concerns to the forefront and in this situation, it becomes more necessary and important as ever, to do everything we can in order to shield ourselves from getting bitten.
This includes being well-informed about the Zika virus and how you can detect it.
What we know so far:
*No vaccine exists to prevent Zika.
*Mosquitoes that spread Zika virus bite during the day and night.
*Mosquitoes that spread Zika virus also spread dengue and chikungunya viruses.
*Zika can be passed through sexual activity from a person who has Zika to his or her partners. Condoms can reduce the chance of contracting Zika.
*Only about 1 in 5 people with the virus will exhibit symptoms. The vast majority has no symptoms at all.
*Zika virus symptoms normally last for 2 to 7 days.