GS Paper : 2
Topics Covered: Issues related to Health.
Context:
The Union Health Ministry has rushed a multidisciplinary team to Maharashtra to monitor the Zika virus situation and support the State government in management of infections. Recei, a case of Zika has been reported in Pune district.
About Zika:
- The Zika virus is predominantly transmitted by infected mosquitoes from the Aedes genus, mainly Aedes aegypti. The Aedes mosquitoes also spread dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever.
- The virus was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in monkeys.
Transmission:
- Apart from the mosquitoes, an infected person can also spread the virus.
Symptoms:
- Generally, the symptoms include fever, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, or headache. It lasts for about two to seven days. Most infected people do not develop any symptoms.
- Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause infants to be born with microcephaly (smaller than normal head size) and other congenital malformations, known as congenital Zika syndrome.
- It has no treatment or vaccine. Instead, the focus is on relieving symptoms and includes rest, rehydration and acetaminophen for fever and pain.
Insta Curious:
Did you know that in 2019 transgenic mosquitoes were released in some areas of Brazil? What was the objective of this experiment? Reference:
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- About Zika Virus Disease.
- Spread.
- Symptoms.
- Treatment.
Sources: the Hindu.
