Understanding and Preventing Zika Virus: Symptoms, Transmission, and Treatment

2023-06-14 16:00:00

a month ago,The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced the first two confirmed cases of Zika virus infection imported from abroad in China this year. The two cases are family members. After returning to Taiwan after traveling in Maldives, they successively sought medical treatment due to symptoms such as fever, sore throat, rash, and bone and muscle aches. , was confirmed to be Zika virus infection by the hospital’s report and test. At present, both cases have been discharged from the hospital.Recently, however, Singapore has alsoWith the rising trend of the epidemic, the CDC has raised the country’s travel epidemic recommendation to the second level of alert (Alert). Wondering what the Zika virus is? Are the symptoms of Zika virus the same as dengue fever? The treatment days are specially arranged for you.

Q1. What is Zika virus? Is the death rate high?

Zika virus (Zika Virus) is a kind of flavivirus, mainly an arbovirus transmitted by mosquitoes. Its pathogenesis is generally believed to be through virus replication in dendritic cells near the site of invasion, and then carried to the blood in the stream and lymph nodes.

Symptoms of Zika virus are generally mild, and severe illness requiring hospitalization and death is uncommon.

Q2. Transmission route? Will it be passed from person to person?

The Zika virus is transmitted in the following ways:

  1. Vector mosquito infection
  2. sexually transmitted infections
  3. Vertical transmission from mother to child
  4. blood transfusion infection

Studies have found Zika virus in human semen, and studies have reported several cases of Zika virus transmission from person to person through sexual contact. However, the risk of sexual transmission of Zika virus is not yet well understood. Therefore, it is recommended that people who have been active in or returned from endemic areas of Zika virus infection, especially pregnant women and their partners, should adopt safe sex. Use condoms correctly to avoid sexually transmitted infections.

Q3. How long is the incubation period?

The incubation period is usually 3 to 14 days.

Q4. What are the symptoms of Zika virus?

After being infected with Zika virus, not every infected person has obvious symptoms. On average, about 20% of infected cases will develop clinical symptoms. Typical symptoms are:

  • fever
  • rash
  • Arthralgia
  • Arthritis
  • Non-purulent/hyperemic conjunctivitis

Other common symptoms are headache, posterior orbital pain, muscle pain, anorexia, abdominal pain and nausea.

The symptoms of Zika virus infection are similar to dengue fever but milder. These symptoms usually start after the incubation period and last for about 2–7 days. They are often ignored or mistaken for dengue fever.

Comparison of symptoms of Zika virus infection and dengue fever

Zika Virus Symptoms Dengue Symptoms
  • fever
  • rash
  • Arthralgia
  • Arthritis
  • Non-purulent/hyperemic conjunctivitis
  • headache
  • posterior orbital pain
  • muscle ache
  • anorexia
  • stomach ache
  • nausea
  • feel sick and vomit
  • rash
  • pain
  • Positive blood pressure test
  • Low white blood cells
  • Any warning signs:

abdominal pain and tenderness
persistent vomiting
clinical fluid accumulation
Mucosal hemorrhage
drowsiness, restlessness
Enlarged liver, extending 2 cm beyond the lower border of the ribs
Increased hematocrit with rapid drop in platelets

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Q5. How to diagnose?

There is currently no rapid diagnostic test for Zika virus. If there are no suspected symptoms of Zika virus infection during the travel period or 2 weeks after returning to the country, no examination is required. If you have a travel history in an endemic area and have suspected symptoms, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible and inform the doctor of the travel history. The doctor will notify the competent authority, and collect urine and serum samples and send them to the CDC laboratory for testing.

Q6. Is there any sequelae?

In the past, most reports believed that Zika virus infection usually did not cause severe illness or hospitalization. According to surveillance data in endemic areas, there have been cases of nervous system (such as acute polyneuritis, Guillain-Barré Syndrome, GBS) or immune system ( Such as specific thrombocytopenic purpura, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, ITP) complications, more and more recent research results show that these neurological abnormalities are related to Zika virus infection.

Q7. Which countries and regions should I pay attention to?

According to the latest epidemic situation released by WHO on February 15 this year, since 2015, a total of 89 countries/territories have experienced local epidemics. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has listed Maldives and Singapore, which continue to have epidemics or may have local transmission, as a second-level alert for travel epidemics; the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, India, Vietnam There have been epidemics in 87 countries including China, Myanmar, etc., but there is no evidence that the local virus epidemic has been blocked. The travel epidemic is recommended as the first level of attention (Watch).

According to information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of cases in Singapore has recently increased. As of 5/31, a total of 15 cases have been reported, of which 14 cases were reported in May. The epidemic is still limited to the Kovan District (Kovan). It shows that there may be a risk of environmental exposure in the local area. Since May 13, the CDC has raised the country’s Zika virus infection travel epidemic recommendation to the second level of alert (Alert).

In addition, today(2023) The pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia will start on June 26. The annual Islamic pilgrimage ceremony is a religious gathering on a global scale, attracting millions of believers every year. Due to the large crowds, pilgrims Potential risk of exposure to infectious disease.If you plan to go to the local area to participate in the Hajj, you must pay attention toSaudi Vaccination Standards2 to 4 weeks before the trip, you should go to the travel medicine clinic for consultation to protect your personal health.

Remind you, if you feel that you may be infected with Zika virus when you enter the country from an endemic area, you should take the initiative to contact the airport quarantine personnel; if you feel unwell within two weeks after returning to your country, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible and inform you of your travel history; For suspected cases, the history of tourism activities should be inquired and reported according to law to reduce the risk of the epidemic.

Q8. Who are the high-risk groups?

Since vector mosquitoes have no selectivity for their biting objects, in endemic areas, anyone may be bitten by a vector mosquito carrying the virus, and people without Zika virus antibodies will be infected.

The recent outbreak of Zika virus infection in Brazil and other endemic areas has also found a sharp increase in the number of newborns with microcephaly, and according to current literature reports, Zika virus can seriously damage the fetal brain and cause neonatal microcephaly, and may also cause Combined with other congenital defects, such as varus feet and macular atrophy, in order to reduce the risk of the above hazards, pregnant women are urged to pay special attention.

Q9. Is there a vaccine for Zika virus?

Zika virus infection is mainly transmitted through the bite of Aedes mosquitoes. Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent it. Avoiding vector mosquito bites is the most important prevention method.

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Q10. How to treat?

At present, there is no antiviral drug to treat Zika virus infection. It is recommended to give supportive treatment according to the symptoms and allow the patient to get enough rest. Acetaminophen antipyretic can be used to relieve some discomfort, and antihistamine can be used to relieve The itching caused by the pimples of the patient usually heals on its own in about a week after the infection with adequate fluids, but if you need to reduce the fever, do not use Aspirin or any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents) steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , NSAIDs).

A small reminder of the day of treatment: how to prevent it?

If you must go to endemic areas, you should take anti-mosquito measures. During outdoor activities, you should use mosquito repellent liquid approved by the competent government agency containing DEET, Picaridin or IR3535, and use it according to the instructions on the label. Mosquito liquid for enhanced protection.

When traveling to endemic areas, you should choose a living place equipped with screens or air-conditioning equipment to avoid vector mosquito bites. Self-monitor your health for at least 2 weeks after returning to your country. If you have any suspected symptoms, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible and inform the doctor of your travel history. As for pregnant women, it is recommended to postpone traveling to endemic areas. For advice on international travel epidemics, please refer to the Global Information Network of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (International Travel Epidemic Suggestion Scale)。

It is recommended to abide by the above behaviors and do a good job of self-protection.

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References:Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare

Image source: 123RF

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