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allied
academies
Microbiology: Current Research
Volume 2
International Conference on
Emerging Diseases, Outbreaks & Case Studies
&
16
th
Annual Meeting on
March 28-29, 2018 | Orlando, USA
Influenza
A
fter initial isolation from macaque monkeys living in
the Zika forest of Uganda in 1947, Zika virus remained
dormant for years, aside from sporadic outbreaks in Asia,
tropical Africa and the South Pacific. In 2015, the virus made
international headlines after the World Cup in Brazil, when
numerous cases of birth defects including microcephaly were
linked to the virus. By December 2015, over 1.3 million Zika
cases were reported in Brazil. Shortly after Puerto Rico fell
victim to Zika, with over 36,000 cases in 2016, and continued
spread due to vulnerability from recent hurricanes. Zika
virus, a member of the family
Flaviviridae
, spreads rapidly
via its primary vector, the daytime-active
Aedes aegypti
mosquito. Additional modes of transmission include sexual,
blood-borne and maternal-fetal transmission. Areas with
active Zika outbreaks include warm/temperate regions in
Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, mid-
Africa, and southern Asia. Viral incubation averages 7-10
days. Symptoms of active infection are similar to those of
dengue or chikungunya, and include headache, fever, rash,
conjunctivitis, arthralgias, and gastrointestinal symptoms,
although many may be asymptomatic. Illness is generally
mild, although neurologic complications such as Guillain
Barré may occur. Maternal-fetal transmission with resultant
microcephaly is well documented, and pregnant women are
at greatest risk during the first trimester. Pregnant women
presenting with symptoms should be referred for testing. As
treatment remains supportive, measures to prevent disease
are paramount. Healthcare providers must play a strong role
in the education of individuals planning travel to endemic
areas, including protective measures such as mosquito
repellent and window screens. Routine mosquito spraying
of susceptible areas is particularly important, and has been
effective in preventing Zika infection in San Pedro and the
Cayman islands. Prenatal counseling plays a vital role,
as viral RNA can remain in semen for up to three months
post infection. Although there are no effective vaccines to
prevent infection, a great deal of research is underway. Zika
has become a significant global public health issue, raising
concerns regarding international travel, sexual transmission,
and blood product safety. Only through global partnerships
can we hope to halt the spread of the virus.
e:
alandaga@fiu.eduEmergence of Zika virus and global implications
Amalia Landa-Galindez
Florida International University, Florida