Tropical Diseases and Cure

Zika Virus: The Next Emerging Threat?

This mosquito-borne virus was discovered in 1947, although not much attention was paid to it because it was both rare and thought to cause only mild symptoms, if any. But recently, Zika virus has taken the world by surprise. The World Health Organization has declared a global emergency because of the virus’s rapid spread and its potential link to microcephaly and other neurological damage. Zika virus is primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Mostly, people who become infected with Zika virus do not become sick,  20 percent of people who do develop symptoms, the illness is generally mild and includes fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis (red eyes).