Zika Virus

The Aedes aegypti mosquito, which carries the virus for dengue, yellow fever and chikungunya, is now responsible for the outbreak of the Zika virus as well. It is spreading like wildfire in South America and travel alerts have been issued to people who plan to visit the affected areas. Symptoms include fever, rashes, joint pain and conjunctivitis. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from a few days to a week. Death is rare.

If a pregnant mother is afflicted with the virus and it gets to her foetus, the baby is at high risk of being born with a shrunken head. The virus is suspected to cause other forms of brain damage as well. Health experts suggest a strong link between the virus and neuro- logical malformations at birth, though this is not yet established.

The World Health Organization, concerned about the international spread of the virus, has declared it a global emergency. That no cure has been found so far adds to the panic. The virus has spread to 23 countries already, and reports suggest that the warm ocean currents of El Niño could also be responsible for its rapid spread since these help the virus- carrying mosquitoes breed.

The 2016 Rio Games are also at risk, with athletes expressing their concern over the spread of the virus, some even suggesting they might drop out. The Zika virus was first discovered in Uganda in 1947. The only preventive measures include being fully- clothed, using insect repellents and staying well hydrated. Though this virus is yet to reach Indian shores, there has been a curious fallout: Tata Motors has decided to rename an upcoming car model that was being advertised as the Tata Zica.

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