Zika Virus:A mosquito-borne flavivirus first identified in 1947 in Uganda

It is primarily transmitted by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, the same vectors responsible for dengue and chikungunya. Zika has garnered global attention due to its association with birth defects and neurological complications.

• Transmission:
  • Mosquito Bites: The primary route.
  • Mother-to-Fetus: Can cross the placenta, potentially causing birth defects.
  • Sexual Transmission: Through bodily fluids.
  • Blood Transfusion: Rare but possible.
• Endemic Areas:
  • Tropical and subtropical regions, including parts of Africa, Southeast Asia, Central and South America, and some Pacific islands.

• Symptoms

  Zika virus infection is often mild or asymptomatic. When symptoms occur, they typically appear 3–14 days after exposure and last up to a week.

  Common Symptoms:

  • Low-grade fever
  • Skin rash (maculopapular rash)
  • Joint pain (arthralgia)
  • Conjunctivitis (red eyes)
  • Muscle pain
  • Headache

  Complications:

  1. Microcephaly (in infants):
     • Babies born to mothers infected during pregnancy may develop this severe birth defect, leading to abnormally small heads and brain damage.
  2. Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS):
     • A rare neurological disorder causing muscle weakness and paralysis.