Zika Virus Could Cause Microcephaly In Newborns, Suggest Studies

Recently two pregnant women from Illinois turned out positive when tested for Zika virus. The two women had previously traveled to countries where this virus is prevalent. Zika is a rare tropical virus that is known to spread through mosquitos, but what makes it worse is that it could lead to severe birth defects if pregnant women are infected with the virus.

The Illinois Department of Public Health said on Tuesday that the condition of the two women is closely being monitored by the physicians there.

IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. said, “There is virtually no risk to Illinois residents since you cannot contract Zika virus from another person, but only through the bite of an infected mosquito. But since this is a time of year when people travel to warmer climates and countries where Zika virus is found, we are urging residents, especially pregnant women, to take preventive measures when traveling in affected countries and check health travel advisories.”

The incident could create apprehension among pregnant women who wish to or have already planned to travel to tropical countries.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has already advised pregnant women not to travel to 14 countries and regions where Zika epidemic have been reported. These countries also include Mexico and Brazil.

Whether or not you travel to these regions, it’s important you stay informed on Zika virus, the symptoms that the virus can elicit in you, how it is contracted and whether it can be treated. Read on for more:

In This Article

How One Could Contract A Zika Infection

Zika virus is transmitted through the bite of a carrier Aedes mosquito species. Although it is not yet known whether pregnant women can pass the virus to their babies during pregnancy, researchers are still studying to determine if such a transfer is possible. There have been rare instances of a mother passing a virus to the fetus during childbirth. In another case, a possible spread of the virus through sexual contact has been reported.

Symptoms Of Infection With Zika Virus

The CDC has reported that about one out of five people infected with Zika virus shows any symptoms. The symptoms include mild fever, rash, conjunctivitis or joint pain that might last for a week. Although these symptoms may sound mild, pregnant women could be worst affected as the virus usually leads to several birth defects.

Zika virus has been associated with microcephaly which is a rare neurological condition that involves an incomplete development of brain or small head in newborns. With the recent finding of the virus from three malformed fetal tissues as reported in the New York Times, there has been heightened speculation over the direct link between microcephaly and Zika virus. However, the World Health Organization says that additional studies are yet to be carried out to establish the finding.

The Incidence Of The Virus

Since it was first studied in 1952, Zika virus has infected people in parts of South and Southeast Asia and Africa sporadically leading to just 14 cases. In early 2014, the virus was identified in the Americas. In the May of 2015, infections due to Zika were also reported in Brazil. After that, at least, 14 separate countries and regions have found to have the prevalence of the virus. In the US alone, Zika was reported in Houston, Texas in the last week and on Friday. The Hawaii Department of Health has reported microcephaly associated with the virus in Hawaii, the first of its case, whereby the mother had spent some time in Brazil in May 2015 where she was infected with the mosquito. It was not the first case reported in Hawaii. Since 2014, there have been at least six such cases of people who contracted the virus through traveling to other countries.

Is There A Treatment For Zika Infection

No, Zika virus has no treatment. The treatment solely focuses on relieving you of the symptoms. Being cautious against mosquito bites is just one way to keep it away. WHO advises the people traveling to areas that harbor the virus to remain cautious of bites from mosquitoes. The CDC has advised pregnant women to halt any travel to the regions where Zika virus is rampant.

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