Small bite, big threat: zika virus

In recent times Zika virus has dominated the global attention of health care researchers. Though the virus has been known since 1947, it has caused lot of panic and alarm among many countries. It has become the first major infectious disease linked to human birth defects to be discovered in more than half a century and has created such a global alarm that the World Health Organization (WHO)has declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Though the viral fever caused by it has fairly common signs and symptoms, infection during pregnancy has been known to cause microcephaly and other brain malformations in some babies. Infection in adults has been linked to Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS). While there is no specific treatment, paracetamol (acetaminophen) and rest may help with the symptoms. Prevention involves decreasing mosquitoes bites in areas where the disease occurs and proper use of condoms. Numerous companies and institutions internationally are developing vaccines against Zika, virus.