Zika
virus was discovered in 1947. It is, however, making news headlines due to an
increase in cases in areas previously not associated with the disease. This is
partly due to warming climates, influencing vector patterns.
Zika
virus is a member of the Flaviviridae virus family and the Flavivirus genus. It
causes a mild illness known as Zika fever. Symptoms are similar to other
Flaviviruses such as Dengue fever or the Alphavirus Chikungunya but are milder
in form and usually last four to seven days. The most common symptoms of Zika
virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes).
Zika
virus is transmitted by daytime-active mosquitoes and has been isolated from a
number of species in the genus Aedes.
Risk of the disease is based on the distribution of the mosquito species that
transmit it.
Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle
