Katie Hunter |
The Zika virus, an infection passed on through the mosquito, known as Aedes aegypti, is causing widespread alarm around Brazil and the United States.
Zika Virus has been associated with a rise of microcephaly, a type of birth defect which results in babies being born with underdeveloped brains and has affected approximately 4,000 babies just in Brazil since October.
The virus has been described by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a “public health emergency of international concern” and has already been found in 21 countries in the Caribbean, North and South America.The Organisation is worried that Zika is spreading far and fast with devastating consequences. Declaring Zika as a public health emergency singles the disease out as a serious global threat and puts it in the same category of importance as Ebola. This also escalates efforts to stop the mosquito that spreads the disease as well as finding a treatment or vaccine to stop the virus. The WHO also expects 3 to 4 million people to be infected in 2016.
Spain has confirmed that a pregnant woman has been diagnosed with the Zika Virus and she is among seven people infected with the virus after visiting affected countries.
The Zika Virus has been around for a long time and was first detected in Uganda in 1947. The vast majority of those infected suffer no symptoms and for those who do they are usually mild and last for two to seven days. These symptoms include low grade fever, joint pain, itching, rash, conjunctivitis, headache and eye pain. There has however been some reported cases of a rare paralysis disorder called Guillain-Barre syndrome.
How can we help prevent the Zika Virus?
Panama’s health ministry proposes introducing genetically modified mosquitoes. These male Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes would have their genes altered and mate with females in order to genetically alter the lifespan of their offspring although some argue it would be morally wrong to eliminate an entire species.
Experts have said the procedure would not be 100% effective, but if it is allowed to proceed, it will reduce the mosquito population below disease transmission levels with minimal effect on the environment.
Many innovative ways of tackling mosquitos are being developed around the world. Scientists in London are in the process of developing a sensor that can detect each different type of mosquito by its specific wing beat whilst scientists in the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine have discovered female mosquitoes are attracted to certain body odours. This raises hope for more effective repellents.
Another promising solution is to make mosquitoes resistant to the parasites that cause the diseases.
These solutions are some way off however there are some immediate steps being taken to educate people to help prevent them being bitten, by using for example treated mosquito nets, covering up and using recommended insect repellants. Pregnant women or women intending to become pregnant have been advised to avoid countries with confirmed cases and some affected countries have told women to avoid getting pregnant for up to 2 years.
The UK and some other European countries are putting in place a deferral for people who have travelled to those countries where the Zika virus is prevalent, meaning they cannot give blood for a month after returning home.
With so much work going on to find a solution to the Zika virus, we hope that it will not be long before they come up with a vaccine and prevent more families suffering the devastating effects of this virus .
