Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Update


Zika Virus

 

The Zika virus was first discovered in 1947 in the Zika Forest in Uganda. The first human cases of Zika was detected in 1952 and subsequently spread to tropical regions in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) confirmed the first Zika virus infection in Brazil. It quickly gained international attention since Brazil is scheduled to host the 2016 Olympic Games. In February 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Zika virus a Public Health Emergency of International Concern due to the Zika virus continuing to spread to new locations. The number Zika outbreaks have continued and because the symptoms of Zika are similar to those of many other diseases, many cases may have gone undetected. 

Zika virus disease is transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes. The Aedes mosquitoes are active and bite only during the daytime. The peak biting periods are early in the morning and in the evening before dusk. Symptoms can include mild fever, skin rash, conjunctivitis (pink eye), muscle and joint pain, or headache. These symptoms normally last from a few days to a week. The illness is not severe and usually does not send the person to the hospital. The Zika disease is not considered fatal illness. Since the symptoms are common many people attribute their symptoms to another cause and might not realize they have been infected.

The overwhelming concern, is that the Zika virus infection could potentially be transmitted during both pregnancy and at childbirth. Pregnant women who have been infected with the Zika virus have given birth to an unusual high number of infants with Microcephaly, as well as other severe fetal brain defects have been

The Zika virus can be transmitted from a man to his sex partners. As of April 2016 sexual transmission of Zika has been documented in several countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends:

  • All people who have been infected with Zika virus and their sexual partners—particularly pregnant women—should receive information about the risks of sexual transmission of Zika virus, contraceptive options and safer sexual practices.

  • When feasible, they should have access to condoms and use them correctly and consistently.

  • Pregnant women’s sex partners living in or returning from areas where local transmission of Zika virus occurs should practice safer sex, wearing condoms, or abstaining throughout the pregnancy.

  • People living in areas where local transmission of Zika virus occurs should practice safer sex or abstain from sexual activity.

There is no specific treatment or vaccine currently available at the present time. Once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections. A number of countries have issued travel warnings (Zika Travel Notices.) Several countries have advised their citizens to delay pregnancy, until more is known about the virus. So for now the best form of prevention is protection against mosquito bites.

To keep up to date with the latest information about the Zika virus you can go to the Center for Disease Control Zika Virus page or the World Health Organization Zika virus page.