Zika Fever - Sign Symptoms,Treatment and Vaccination

What do we know about the Zika Fever? Is it dangerous?

Zika Fever as mentioned on the latest data from the World Health Organization (WHO) is caused by Zika Virus. Zika virus has become a global health emergency situation due to Zika outbreak that occurred in the Americas region.

Brazil has reported 4,000 cases of microcephaly, in which the fetus is born with a smaller head size than normal size. The local Ministry of Health has stated the connection of these conditions with the Zika virus, although related studies on this are still ongoing. Other data from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said that Zika has spread out to 24 countries and US territories. Zika virus infection was also reported in Cape Verde at the end of 2015. In addition to the above data, the Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology in Indonesia stated that it was found the Zika virus in Jambi, Sumatra, but this has been denied by the Ministry of Health of Indonesia. Through the official website of Ministry of Health of Indonesia, they have clarified and confirmed that Zika virus was not found in the territory of Indonesia.

Zika Virus Transmission

Zika virus is transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. Common symptoms usually include fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes. The disease is generally mild in scale with symptoms that last for several days to a week. In some patients do not even show any symptoms. Deterioration that requires special care in hospital is rarely.

In fact, Zika virus have been discovered since 1947 and small spreading out in the world including Southeast Asia, Africa, and America. Increasing a public awareness of this virus recently is caused by potential relation between exposure of the virus and birth defects. However, there has been no data showed effects from Zika virus infection in pregnant women and abnormal development of the fetus. Further scientific research is needed regarding this relationship.

Zika Fever Vaccination

There is no vaccine for Zika virus until now. Therefore avoiding mosquito bites is the main preventive measures for Zika fever.

Prevention for Zika Fever:

In addition to avoiding mosquito bites as mentioned above, some prevention efforts for Zika Fever as follows:

• Use insect repellent products
• Close the body skin by wearing long sleeves and light colored
• Empty, clean or close tightly every media that hold water to reduce mosquito breeding sites
• Use nets / mosquito nets while sleeping.

There are no travel restrictions in connection with this case Zika Fever. But it's good for women who are pregnant or plan to pregnant to reconsider travel plans to locations with cases of Zika.

Based on data from CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), locations / countries with cases of Zika Fever are:

AMERICAS

• Barbados
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Colombia
• Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, US territory
• Costa Rica
• Curacao
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• El Salvador
• French Guiana
• Guadeloupe
• Guatemala
• Guyana
• Haiti
• Honduras
• Jamaica
• Martinique
• Mexico
• Nicaragua
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Saint Martin
• Suriname
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• Venezuela

OCEANIA / PACIFIC ISLANDS

• American Samoa
• Samoa
• Tonga

AFRICA

• Cape Verde

Be aware and consult to your doctor soon if you have some signs and symptoms of Zika Fever.