Abstract

ZIKA VIRUS: AN OVERVIEW

Priyanka Sen*, Anshumala, Naresh Kumar and Neha Pathania

ABSTRACT

This epidemic Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arbovirus from the genus of Flavivirus and family Flaviviridae which spread in various regions of the world like Asia, Africa, America, and the Pacific region. Zika virus is a mosquito-borne disease that is firstly reported in Uganda in 1947. The first case of ZIKV infection in humans is reported in Nigeria (Africa) 1954 while in Asia this is reported in Indonesia, Central Java in 1977. In 2016 ZIKV infection is reported to reach its highest peak and then this was declared as a global health emergency by WHO. It isusually asymptomatic or often shows some mild symptoms such as fever, headache, rash, arthralgia, and conjunctivitis that are very similar to dengue fever. GBS and microcephaly are rare symptoms. ZIKV infection can transmit through blood transfusion, sexual practices and perinatal transmission exists. This infection is mainly transmitted by a mosquito to humans. According to WHO, there is no specific treatment, antiviral drug or vaccine is available until now. The only possible way of preventing this disease is to prevent mosquito bites. The current situation of Zika is alarming which highlights the need for arboviral research to develop an effective treatment.

Keywords: ZIKV, Epidemic, Arboviral, Flavivirus, Microcephaly, Perinatal.