Named after the Zika (translated overgrown) Forest in Uganda, by 2007 it had spread to Micronesia, Central and South America and the Caribbean. This is a Flavivirus carried by Aedes mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus thus it is referred to as an arbovirus. The RNA containing virus is similar to West Nile Virus, Yellow Fever Virus, and Dengue Fever. The natural (sylvatic) cycle involves hosts such as monkeys but identification of other host animals is far from complete. West Nile Virus is associated with many different bird hosts and the rapid dissemination of the virus in the United States starting in 2001 is partly due to these avian hosts. Some think the Zika Virus will not disseminate as quickly but worry that it will become established in the Southern US where these mosquito vectors are present.
The disease in humans is similar to Dengue Fever but mild and non-fatal and over 75% of infections are asymptomatic. However the main concern is for pregnant women where there is evidence the infected mother can pass the virus in utero to the newborn leading microcephaly and brain damage. Travel warnings may be forthcoming.
The disease in humans is similar to Dengue Fever but mild and non-fatal and over 75% of infections are asymptomatic. However the main concern is for pregnant women where there is evidence the infected mother can pass the virus in utero to the newborn leading microcephaly and brain damage. Travel warnings may be forthcoming.