A Global Concern on Zika Virus: Transmission, Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment

Abstract

Zika virus is a mosquito-transmitted flavivirus belongs to family Flaviviridae which becomes the focus of an ongoing pandemic and public health emergency all around the world. Zika virus has two lineages African and Asian. Mosquito-borne flavivirus is thought to replicate initially in dendritic cell and then spread to lymph nodes and then to the bloodstream. Zika virus was initially recognized in Uganda in 1947 in Monkeys through a method that observed yellow fever. It was later distinguished in people in 1952 in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. The explosions of the zika virus disease have been recorded in Africa, The Americas, Asia, and The Pacific. Gillian-Berre syndrome and congenital malformation (microcephaly) suspected to be linked with Zika virus. The virus can only be confirmed through laboratory test on blood or other body fluids, such as urine, saliva or semen. No specific antiviral treatment for Zika virus disease exists. Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms with rest, fluid and medications. WHO/PAHO encourages the countries to establish and maintain Zika Virus infections, detection, clinical management and community assurances strategies to reduce transmission of the virus. The future of Zika Virus spreading to other parts of the world is still unknown.
 Keywords: Zika Virus, flavivirus, Mosquito, Vaccine, Treatment, Microcephaly, WHO/PAHO.