On January 14, the World Health
Organisation declared that West Africa was
free of the deadly haemorrhagic fever,
Ebola. West Africa was the disease’s
stronghold so the news was welcomed by
all. It was as good as saying the world was
Ebola free.


However, barely 24 hours after WHO’s
declaration, the organisation made another
announcement that there was a new
probable case. The new case was in Sierra
Leone and it came 43 days after the last
known case. It was a sad report but the
WHO, Center for Disease Control and all
concerned authorities got to work.


Though Nigeria had promptly fought the war
against Ebola when it found its way in, the
country had started battling other life-
threatening diseases almost immediately.
The Avian Influenza, commonly known as
Bird flu became the next headache. Though
it is typically a poultry disease, the strain
N5H1 found in Nigeria can be transmitted to
humans. Then, as if that wasn’t enough Lassa
fever, another type of viral haemorrhagic
disease, reared its head. This time monkeys
are not the key carriers as in the case of
Ebola, but rats.


Nigeria has declared war on rats now.
Sellers of rat poisons, rat gum, traps and
house fumigators are making brisk business.


While Africa is struggling with Ebola and
Lassa, Bird flu is showing up on all the
continents. The sad news is that there is a
new on in the Americas is Zika virus.


Zika is currently found in Brazil. Though
the symptoms shown by people with Zika
virus disease are only mild fever, skin rash
and conjunctivitis − popularly known around
here as Apollo − for about 2-7 days, it is a
different story for pregnant women. The
WHO said the disease affects the growth of
the foetus, leading to microcephaly or
stunted brain growth. One case of
microcephaly linked to Zika virus has been
established in Hawaii.


WHO is predicting that Zika will spread to
all except two countries in the Americas,
Canada and continental Chile. Concerns are
also growing that the disease may become a
worldwide issue with the 2016 summer
Olympic Games coming up in Rio de Janeiro
Brazil.


In the meantime though, here are facts you
should know about Zika virus according to
WHO:

1. Zika virus disease is caused by a virus
transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.
2. People with Zika virus disease usually
have a mild fever, skin rash (exanthema)
and conjunctivitis. These symptoms
normally last for 2-7 days.
3. There is no specific treatment or vaccine
currently available.
4. The best form of prevention is protection
against mosquito bites.
5. The virus is known to circulate in Africa,
the Americas, Asia and the Pacific.


TRANSMISSION

Zika virus is transmitted to people through
the bite of an infected mosquito from the
Aedes genus, mainly Aedes aegypti in
tropical regions. This is the same mosquito
that transmits dengue, chikungunya and
yellow fever.


Zika virus disease outbreaks were reported
for the first time from the Pacific in 2007
and 2013 (Yap and French Polynesia,
respectively), and in 2015 from the
Americas (Brazil and Colombia) and Africa
(Cape Verde). In addition, more than 13
countries in the Americas have reported
sporadic Zika virus infections indicating
rapid geographic expansion of Zika virus.


PREVENTION

Mosquitoes and their breeding sites pose a
significant risk factor for Zika virus
infection. Prevention and control relies on
reducing mosquitoes through source
reduction (removal and modification of
breeding sites) and reducing contact between
mosquitoes and people.


This can be done by using insect repellent;
wearing clothes (preferably light-coloured)
that cover as much of the body as possible;
using physical barriers such as screens,
closed doors and windows; and sleeping
under mosquito nets. It is also important to
empty, clean or cover containers that can
hold water such as buckets, flower pots or
tyres, so that places where mosquitoes can
breed are removed.


Special attention and help should be given
to those who may not be able to protect
themselves adequately, such as young
children, the sick or elderly.


During outbreaks, health authorities may
advise that spraying of insecticides be
carried out. Insecticides recommended by
the WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme may
also be used as larvicides to treat
relatively large water containers.


Travellers should take the basic
precautions described above to protect
themselves from mosquito bites.


TREATMENT

Zika virus disease is usually relatively mild
and requires no specific treatment. People
sick with Zika virus should get plenty of
rest, drink enough fluids, and treat pain and
fever with common medicines. If symptoms
worsen, they should seek medical care and
advice. There is currently no vaccine
available.



http://sunnewsonline.com/new/zika-virus-newest-deadly-plague-after-ebola-lassa/


CC. Dominique and Sissy3