The Zika Virus

What is the Zika virus? According to Donald McNeil, “The Zika virus is a mosquito-transmitted infection related to dengue, yellow fever, and West Nile virus.” The Zika virus originated out of the Zika forest which is located in Uganda (“Zika virus”). This virus is considered to be perilous; however, this pertains mostly to pregnant women. The virus began ascending in 1947 and it is most common in the African and Asian areas (McNeil). However, 2015 is the year the disease began to disperse rapidly to the Western Hemisphere. What is causing the prompt spread of the Zika virus? Individuals in the Western Hemisphere have not been able to build up antibodies, which attack the virus, to inhibit it from hosting inside of their immune system. The Zika

However, the Aedes aegypti is the known to be the predominant carrier for the Zika virus (Suresh). How is the Zika virus transmitted? A mosquito, specifically a female, bites a contaminated individual and picks up the virus. Once the virus is picked up, it travels from the mosquito’s abdomen into its salivary glands (McNeil). An individual would not receive the Zika virus if the mosquito did not administer its saliva into the individual. However, a mosquito always administers its saliva to prevent the prey’s blood from clogging (McNeil). A mosquito’s saliva contains protein factors that inhibit blood from clotting. Therefore, the next individual that the mosquito bites receives the Zika virus. This process is on-going because the individual that becomes infected can carry the virus in the bloodstream for an estimated week (Suresh). Why a female mosquito? Only female mosquitoes are known to bite individuals because of their need for blood. Without blood, female mosquitos are unable to lay eggs and reproduce. However, the Zika virus can be sexually transmitted as well. It is typically rare for the Zika virus to be transmitted sexually; however, three cases have become known to the public (McNeil). Once an individual receives a transmission of the Zika virus, symptoms may start to occur. Pregnancy is the main factor that can change the symptoms of the Zika virus. Symptoms most certainly vary on the

Guillian Barre Syndrome is a sickness that causes the body’s immune system to attack the nerves in the body (Suresh). Therefore, the body experiences paralysis. Although these two diseases have been linked, there have been very few cases reported. The incubation period for Zika is estimated around 3 to 12 days and the symptoms usually subside within 4 to 7 days (“About Zika Virus”). However, pregnant women experience other aspects than non-expecting individuals. Pregnant women, who have become infected with the Zika virus, are recognizing a specific abnormality that affects their unborn fetus. This abnormality is known as microcephaly. The article “Microcephaly in Children” by Janet S. Soul states, “A child with microcephaly has abnormal brain development which results in an abnormally small sized head.” The term microcephaly is self-explanatory. Micro means small and cephaly comes from a Greek word meaning head. Microcephaly leads to problems in a child’s cognitive development and neurological development. Microcephaly is a rare abnormality that only affects an estimate of 25,000 children a year in the United States. However, 460 cases of microcephaly have been confirmed in Brazil (Scipioni). Microcephaly can be congenital or it can be preset later during life. Unfortunately, microcephaly is a condition that has no cure. However, medical professionals have come up with methods to help manage the