First case of Zika Virus was reported from Kanpur in the state of Uttar Pradesh on October 24, 2021.

What is Zika Virus?

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in monkeys. It was later identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania.

Outbreaks of Zika virus disease have been recorded in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific. From the 1960s to 1980s, rare sporadic cases of human infections were found across Africa and Asia, typically accompanied by mild illness.

The first recorded outbreak of Zika virus disease was reported from the Island of Yap (Federated States of Micronesia) in 2007. This was followed by a large outbreak of Zika virus infection in French Polynesia in 2013 and other countries and territories in the Pacific. In March 2015, Brazil reported a large outbreak of rash illness, soon identified as Zika virus infection, and in July 2015, found to be associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome.  

Zika fever

Zika fever or Zika virus disease is caused due to Zika virus. It often causes no or some mild symptoms, which are like mild form of dengue fever. The virus can spread from a pregnant woman to her baby, which can result in microcephaly, some birth defects and severe brain malformations.

Treatment for zika virus

There is no specific treatment for the disease. However, paracetamol may help in relieving the symptoms.

Vaccines for the disease

No specific vaccines are available for zika virus disease. However, several vaccines are currently in clinical trials.