Spread of Zika Virus is Alarming

This week the World Health Organisation has convened an emergency meeting to discuss measures that can be taken against the Zika virus, which is becoming prevalent across Latin America.

Zika virus was first identified in Uganda in 1947. The virus is carried by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which also carries dengue fever and yellow fever. Whilst most show no symptoms when infected with the virus (which makes it particularly hard to identify), some people can develop a fever and a rash. If pregnant women are infected, their baby can be born with microcephaly.

In May 2015, Brazil issued an alert after its first confirmed case. Since then, the virus has spread through Latin America at an alarming rate. The virus has also been detected in other countries – the US has 31 confirmed cases – due to travellers. Some countries have told women to not get pregnant whilst the epidemic occurs, however birth control in susceptible areas is typically expensive and hard to obtain.

One scientist working for the WHO has estimated that the virus may infect 3-4 million people within the next year. The Zika virus is spreading particularly fast due to the wide distribution of the mosquito, which acts as a vector for the virus. This year, mosquito numbers have risen due to El Nino, which has brought weather patterns that have aided their spread. Furthermore, the Olympics are taking place in Rio de Janiero this year and this is drawing large numbers of tourists to the area.

There is no known cure for the virus and a safe and effective vaccine will not be widely available for a few years. However, researchers have a starting point as it is thought that an experimental West Nile vaccine could be repurposed. In the meantime, travellers have been advised to use mosquito repellent and to wear long-sleeved clothing.

Photo: Sanofi Pasteur, Flickr.