Is there still zika?

Zika virus disease is a mosquito-borne infection caused by the Zika virus. The virus was identified in 1947, and outbreaks occurred throughout Africa and Southeast Asia for decades. However, it wasn’t until 2015 that Zika gained worldwide attention due to an outbreak in Brazil.

Since then, there have been concerns about the potential spread of the disease globally. But has the world seen an end to this infamous virus? Let’s find out!

What is Zika Virus Disease?

Before diving into whether or not there’s still zika around us, let’s first discuss what zika virus disease actually is!

Zika Virus Disease (ZVD) symptoms can be very mild or even asymptomatic but may include fever rash headache joint pain muscle pain conjunctivitis – redness of eye fatigue and small droplets from infected mothers are known to cause devastating outcomes like babies being born with abnormally small heads.

People who show signs and symptoms of ZVD typically recover within a few days up to one week without any issues. In severe cases however patients might need hospitalization which overall though rare does happen as well especially if you inadvertently go around awry mosquitoes’ habitat asking them if they want to bite you while saying “Bzzz bzz”.

A Brief History of Zika

The history / story behind how this pesky little insect-born illness became famous deserves some recognition… so buckle up!

In 1947 scientists studying yellow fever were doing their usual thing hanging around outside when all of sudden smoke came billowing towards them; inside these clouds lived millions upon millions fresh mosquitoes buzzing away carrying viruses with them from one host animal onto another including humans alike..

One specimen blood extraction caught particular interest as it contained viral matter knew previously unencountered by any academic players – pre-zika times!. They named this aftersome analysis cicada-virus after an enormous mosquito capable of producing high pitch elating sound travels kilometers away.

It wasn’t until 1952 that the virus was renamed Zika because in their language it meant “overgrown” referring to the large size of these pesky insects’ natural habitats. Fun fact- to word play a bit, come up with an original name for new viruses all scientists sit around doing one day – how about naming it “Laplacian Swarm”! (But we will recommend you not pursuing this).

The Spread

Zika has spread rapidly throughout many countries especially when mosquitos are incredibly active and around fertile breeding ground ahem… wet locals.

In particular, outbreaks were seen commonly in areas such as Africa or Southeast Asia after being transmitted between hosts unknowingly during sexual intercourse more so amongst monkey populations nearby malarial rainforests if mutual respect isn’t maintained!

But since 2015’s Brazil fiasco which saw the illness crop up sporadically worldwide; organizations like CDC are now creating educational guides on how to prevent bites and mosquito breeding by using things like insect repellent sprays on your skin for protection against infectious bites known causes too much bare minimum exposure trip hazards (not medically substantiated)!

Here’s a list of ways in which zika can spread:

  • Mosquito Bites: Zika is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes belonging to the Aedes species.
  • Sexual Contact: An individual who has ZVD can transmit it sexually to their partners even weeks after recovering from symptoms.
  • From Mother to Child: Pregnant women with an active ZVD infection can pass on the virus through placenta causing malformations during fetal development.

Prevention

If you plan any trips outside, make sure they’re at times suitable while taking precautions that eliminate local post-zika travel troubles – here’s what you should do:

  1. Protect yourself from mosquito bites. Even if you aren’t traveling to a place with an active Zika infection, it’s better to stay protected always!

  2. Use insect repellent sprays hats or netting over sleeping spaces.

  3. Avoid being outdoors during peak mosquito activity hours (at dawn and dusk).
  4. Get a bed in air-conditioned accommodation for hot climates.

  5. Practice safe sex

Even if one has travelled around areas which historically have seen outbreaks, there’s still risk of the virus spreading sexually as we discussed earlier.

Are We Still Seeing Outbreaks?

With so much concern sparked around zika years ago- people are still wondering if this illness is still at large today.

Well the answer is –

YES! The survivalist mosquitoes called Aedes transmitting infectious bug bites indigenous to select regions where inhabitant daily routines amplify create new fertile breeding ground cultures can easily get around unnoticed until not enough schemes take hold preventing them from populating undisputed regions especially south-east Asia Africa and certain parts of South America!

A total number of 4 students travelling abroad between 2019-2020 caught post-return milder ZVD symptoms! And that’s just knowing what was reported who knows how many travelers were unaware they’d been bitten by mosquitos capable of carrying genetically modified viruses making it even harder for labs & hospitals letting alone peer recoverability input into diagnosis prevention containment management protocols when treating patients next week in similarly infected sites neighboring localities because nobody wants zika anymore!

Conclusion

To summarize all our funny bits and insights about the infamous Zika virus disease-

Zika Virus Disease should be taken seriously – although luckily most cases resolve themselves within one week there have been stubborn lingerer scenarios albeit rare indeed!
It’s crucial that you continue practicing good hygiene no matter where our travels take us embracing common sense habits like washing hands running water regularly using sanitizers staying away from others when possible sick; avoiding touching faces unless necessary (no more biting fingernails!) reporting unusual symptoms ASAP remembering what we have shared today all could help us make it past an epidemic where everyone’s motto is ‘Sayonara Zika Virus!’.

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