Explainer: What you need to know about Zika virus

The nation is for the time being grappling with a dengue outbreak, and now Zika virus circumstances had been known in Dhaka. Each diseases are transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Consultants emphasise the possess to achieve Zika virus, its risks, and preventive measures to put gain.

The Institute of Epidemiology, Illness Control, and Research (IEDCR) has shared insights on Zika virus transmission, indicators, medication, and prevention.

What’s Zika virus?

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne illness that has been spreading mercurial in fresh years. It is essentially transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, the identical form that spreads dengue and chikungunya.

Symptoms of Zika virus infection

In accordance with the IEDCR, 80% of folks contaminated with Zika virus uncover no indicators. For the remaining circumstances, indicators could perchance seem in 3–12 days after exposure and most incessantly final 2–7 days. Most circumstances unravel with out medical intervention.
Key indicators to notion for within 14 days of visiting a Zika-affected space embody low-grade fever (above Ninety nine°F/37.2°C), crimson rash on the skin, headache, crimson eyes (conjunctivitis), muscle grief and joint grief.

How Zika virus spreads

Zika virus can unfold by:

Mosquito bites: The first mode of transmission is by bites from contaminated Aedes mosquitoes, that are also vectors for dengue and chikungunya. These mosquitoes are most keen at some level of early morning and night.

Sexual transmission: The virus can unfold by unprotected sexual contact with an contaminated male.

Pregnancy: If a pregnant woman contracts Zika at some level of the principle trimester, the virus could be transmitted to the fetus.
Blood transfusion: Zika can unfold by transfusions of contaminated blood or unintended exposure in medical or laboratory settings.

Treatment for Zika virus

There isn’t such a thing as a explicit treatment for Zika virus infection, and medication essentially makes a speciality of managing indicators. The IEDCR recommends resting and staying wisely-hydrated. Paracetamol could be outmoded to alleviate fever and grief, however most life like as prescribed by a health care provider. If a affected person’s condition worsens, they have to study rapid medical consideration on the nearest executive health facility.

Since a vaccine for Zika virus has no longer yet been developed, prevention is dependent on non-public consciousness and proactive holding measures. Heading off mosquito bites, working against gain sexual behaviours, and adhering to shuffle back and forth precautions are crucial to lowering the probability of infection.

Preventive measures

Protect a long way from mosquito bites: To lead sure of mosquito bites, it’s excessive to save on prolonged-sleeved clothes and prolonged pants to minimiুe skin exposure. Using mosquito nets on home windows and while drowsing can present extra safety. Applying mosquito repellent lotions to uncovered skin is also efficient. Additional care have to be taken to guard inclined folks, including children, the aged, and these that are sick.

Steady sexual practices: In accordance with WHO guidelines, condoms have to be outmoded at some level of sexual bellow for a minimal of 6 months after getting again from a Zika-affected situation, although no indicators are reward.

Precautions at some level of pregnancy: Protect a long way from shuffle back and forth to Zika-affected regions while pregnant. If shuffle back and forth is unavoidable, take hang of strict measures to steer sure of mosquito bites.

Shuttle safety: Rob precautions against mosquito bites when visiting Zika-affected areas. Notice gain intercourse at some level of and for a minimal of 6 months after shuffle back and forth.

Consciousness and preventive action are significant to wrestle Zika virus. By minimising mosquito exposure and working against gain behaviours, folks can defend themselves and their communities from the disease.