Key facts
• Zika virus infection is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a flavivirus. This occurs in tropical countries with large mosquito population.
Transmission
• Zika virus is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito from the Aedes genus, mainly Aedes aegypti in urban areas and Aedes albopictus in rural areas.
• Aedes bite aggressively during the day.
• This is the same mosquito that transmits Dengue and Chikungunya.
• Zika virus can also be transmitted through sex carrying Zika virus unprotected.
• Zika virus has been detected in blood, urine, amniotic fluids, semen, saliva as well as body fluids found in the brain and spinal cord.
Signs and Symptoms
• Common symptoms include fever, conjunctivitis, and skin rash.
• Other symptoms include headache, muscle pain, joint pain, pain behind the eyes, and vomiting.
• The illness is usually mild and self-limiting with symptoms lasting for 2-7 days.
Complication
• Neurological type of complication: Guillain-Barre’ syndrome which is the sudden weakening of muscles.
• Neonatal malformation: Microcephaly which is a condition where a baby’s head is smaller than those of other babies of the same age and sex.
Prevention and Treatment
• Avoid infection by preventing mosquito bites.
• Use insect repellants.
• Use window and door screens.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants or permethrin-treated clothing.
• Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out items that hold water such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, or trash containers.
• People sick with Zika virus should get plenty of rest, drink enough fluids and treat pain and fever with common medicines.
• People with signs and symptoms of Zika virus infection should undergo diagnostic test (serology)
• If symptoms persists, they should seek medical care and advice immediately to the nearest health facility.
How is ZIKA, CHIKUNGUNYA and DENGUE infection prevented?
Search and Destroy
Cover the drums, pails, and other waste containers at all times
Clean and replace the water in flower vases once a week
Cover the holes around the house with soil or sand
Remove or pierce old tires that are being used as roof supports, also those tires placed around the house that might hold water.
Flip-over empty bottles, jars, tin cans and other items that can collect and hold water
Clean and remove water on dish racks and other household items that can hold water
SELF-PROTECTION MEASURES
Use mosquito repellants to avoid mosquito bites
Use mosquito nets when sleeping at daytime
Wear long sleeves or clothes that will protect your skin from mosquito bites
SEEK EARLY CONSULTATION
Seek and consult with the nearest health facility if you already have fever fro two days
SAY “YES” TO FOGGING ONLY DURING OUTBREAKS
Fogging should be done when there is an impending and during outbreaks