Welcome, Guest: Register On Nairaland / LOGIN! / Trending / Recent / NewStats: 3,193,618 members, 7,951,559 topics. Date: Tuesday, 17 September 2024 at 06:25 PM |
Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Health / Zika Virus, Newest Deadly Plague After Ebola, Lassa (632 Views)
‘Nigeria Should Still Watch Out For Ebola, Lassa Fever’ - Dr. Sadiq / Rockefeller Foundation Holds A 1947 Patent For Zika Virus / Zika Virus, Newest Deadly Plague After Ebola, Lassa (2) (3) (4)
Zika Virus, Newest Deadly Plague After Ebola, Lassa by SFSNIPER(m): 1:56pm On Jan 27, 2016 |
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/ |
Re: Zika Virus, Newest Deadly Plague After Ebola, Lassa by laurenziz6(m): 1:59pm On Jan 27, 2016 |
only GOD can save us |
Re: Zika Virus, Newest Deadly Plague After Ebola, Lassa by Nobody: 2:18pm On Jan 27, 2016 |
Zika virus, onyibo own.. Make they manage am |
Re: Zika Virus, Newest Deadly Plague After Ebola, Lassa by Nobody: 2:34pm On Jan 27, 2016 |
it endtime ...
may God protect us from all sort of deadly diseases |
(1) (Reply)
Reason Why Two AS Genotype Parents Don't Give Birth To SS Child / Https://www.linkedin.com/in/uday-kant-aa3915115 / Please Whats The Remedy For Electric Shock
(Go Up)
Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 18 |