Recently, Zika has been all over the news. It’s basically the new Ebola or swine flu, except this time, it’s worse. How much do we actually know about Zika? How can we stop the spread? What can we do to prevent it? Well, my friends, I am here to tell you everything you need to know about this dangerous virus.
Zika is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. The symptoms are much like other diseases or infections, so it usually it goes undiagnosed. The symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes and only make themselves known for several days after being bitten. The worst side effect of the disease is in pregnant women, causing the baby to have a birth defect called microcephaly. According to the CDC, microcephaly is a birth defect where a baby’s head is smaller than expected and can cause their brains to not develop properly. Microcephaly occurs in about two to 12e babies out of 10,000 births.
The first time Zika was discovered was in 1947, so it is relatively new. According to the CDC, in May of 2015, the Pan American Health Organization issued an alert for the first official infection in Brazil. In February 2016, the World Health Organization declared Zika a Public Health Emergency. Countries that have had reported cases of Zika include Africa, Southeast Asia, Brazil and Puerto Rico. As of now, there are no reported cases in the U.S., but that does not mean Zika is not here. People in the U.S. travel all of the time and could bring the virus back without even knowing. It is likely the Zika virus will travel to the U.S., so it is very wise to learn how to prevent it.
As of now, there is no vaccine to prevent Zika. The most important thing to do to prevent Zika is to prevent bug bites. To do this, you can wear clothes that cover your skin, use condoms, stay indoors and use insect repellant. Keep updated where the virus is located closest to you, so you are able to protect yourself more. Also, keep in mind, most of the mosquitoes that have the Zika virus, bite during the day. A lot of people don’t know that Zika can be transmitted through sexual activity. This means that if your partner has been traveling to places with the Zika virus present, then condoms should be used.
Do your part in protecting yourselves and others by raising awareness about this virus!
