After fighting our way through the year 2020 accompanied by the Covid-19 virus and global lockdown, the year 2024 has again alarmed Punekars with a new virus in vicinity, the Zika virus. With a tally of 16 people testing positive for this virus in Pune, it is important to be cautious as well as aware about the safety measures to take against this disease.
This is a mosquito-borne disease that is primarily caused by the Aedes mosquito. It was first discovered in Uganda in 1947, among the species of macaque monkey. But by the 50s it was also found to be transmitted among humans as well.
Though in the year 2015, it was declared an epidemic in Brazil, but by 2017 the cases declined. Hereafter, the terror of a global Zika virus pandemic was eradicated.
But the recent cases in India, especially Pune has triggered a fear of another epidemic. With 16 people infected with Zika, and 8 of them being pregnant women, there is an ardent need to protect oneself from the onslaught of this virus.
As per the WHO directions, most people who are infected with Zika virus do not develop any symptoms. But in case of those who do- the common symptoms are rashes, nausea, joint paint or muscle pain, fever, headaches, conjunctivitis or a general feeling of discomfort and illness.
But the news of 8 pregnant women in Pune infected by this virus is much more serious because it can cause microcephaly among infants if the mother is infected during pregnancy. Microcephaly is a condition wherein an infant's head is much smaller than average, which then leads to stagnant or no more growth of a baby's brain.
In fact, a few years ago WHO declared microcephaly caused by Zika an "emergency of international concern".
Apart from that this can also lead to Guillain Barre Syndrome, which is an autoimmune disease that attacks the nervous system and can also cause paralysis among people of any age.
The aspect of worry and concern for the Zika virus is that there is no treatment or vaccine as of yet.
WHO advises people with symptoms such as rash, fever and headaches to get ample rest and drink lots of fluids. Apart from that they should also take medication that reduces fever and/or pain relievers. And until the risk of dengue infection is ruled out the patient should also avoid taking non-steroids or anti-inflammatory medicines.
But if the patient is pregnant or the symptoms worsen then immediate professional medical help should be sought.
Prevention is better then cure, is an age-old adage that still holds true in case of any disease. It is a fact for Zika virus as well. Therefore the ways to ensure prevention of the disease are:
- Usage of mosquito repellent during both day and night since the virus carrying Aedes mosquito doesn't only bite after sunset like the dengue carrying female Anopheles mosquito.
- Wearing clothes that give better coverage to the body, since mosquitos bite bare skin.
- Sleeping under nets in affected areas.
- Reduce mosquito breeding sites, such as still small collection of still water.
- Use of larvicides and insecticides in potential breeding pools.
- Usage of contraceptives during sex by people in Zika infected areas since the virus can be sexually transmitted and may lead to infected pregnancy as well.
As Pune deals with the virus with the help of medical professionals ever ready to cure the patients with whatever means necessary, it is also important for us citizens to be vigilant and apply all safety and precautionary measures to protect us and those around us.