An OutBreak of Zika Virus – An Emerging Health Threat Declared by WHO

According to Cable News Network (CNN - an American basic cable and satellite television channel), the World Health Organization (WHO) announced an emerging health threat on Monday, i.e., Zika virus.

What is Zika Virus & How Does It Impact Human Life?

The Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus and it’s spreading fast primarily through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. The infected people usually feel the symptoms like mild fever, red eye, skin rash (exanthema) and conjunctivitis for 2-7 days. Aedes mosquitoes are the similar mosquitoes that spread other viruses similar to dengue and chikungunya.

The WHO says that an emergency is necessary because this mosquito-borne virus is spreading very fast. It is also assumed that this virus has an association with a frightening spike in babies born with abnormally small heads (also called as microcephaly in the countries Brazil and French Polynesia).

The current existence of Zika virus is raging in more than 20 different countries encompassing Americas, Caribbean, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Samoa, and Cape Verde.

What Should to Do to Prevent a Zika Infection?

At the moment, there is no any vaccine to cure this infectious disease. The best preventative measure of this infectious disease is only to keep yourself protected from getting bitten by such dangerous mosquitoes. Here’s how:

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to cover more of your skin.
• Try to keep yourself in air conditioning places or the places that keep mosquitoes outside by the means of window, door screens, and netting.
• Get help from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) -registered insect repellents for more protection and effectiveness.
• Treat your clothing and other gears with permethrin (insect repellent) or always make a purchase for permethrin-treated items.
• A mosquito bed net is essential for you when you are overseas or outside and unable to guard yourself from the mosquito bites.

The USA’s President recently did a meeting with CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden and his other health & national security advisors, and discussed about this public health concerning Zika virus & its spread over the U.S. Now, they are more focusing towards accelerating research efforts to make accessible diagnostic tests, arranging vaccines & other therapeutics, informing all Americans about this infectious disease, and taking appropriate steps for protecting themselves in opposition to the Zika virus.