Zika Virus has recently been classified by the World Health Organization as one of the fast-spreading epidemic diseases.
The Story of the Virus:
In 1947, in the Zika Forest near Entebbe in Uganda, close to Lake Victoria, the primary source of the Nile River in Africa, a group of scientists researched a monkey kept in a cage outside their lab. After several days, they noticed the monkey had developed a fever.
Upon testing, they discovered a new virus named "Zika" after the forest where they were working. It is said that "Zika" means "giant" in the Ugandan language.
In 1952, research in India showed that many Indians had immunity to the Zika virus, indicating that it had been around for a long time, even though it was only recently discovered. The first recorded human case of the virus was in Nigeria in 1954.
Symptoms of the Disease:
Symptoms include fever, rash, eye inflammation, headache, muscle and joint pain, and general fatigue. If the condition worsens, it can lead to serious complications such as "Guillain-Barré syndrome," a severe nerve inflammation that can cause respiratory paralysis and muscle weakness.
The most severe symptom is birth defects, particularly an underdeveloped brain and a condition known as "microcephaly." The virus can be transmitted from a pregnant mother to her baby, either through direct infection or sexual contact with an infected partner.
How the Virus Spreads:
The primary carrier of the Zika virus is mosquitoes, specifically the "Aedes aegypti" mosquito, which also spreads diseases like "yellow fever" and "dengue fever." This mosquito has spread worldwide due to trade and travel.
Spread of the Virus:
Currently, the Zika virus is widespread in many countries, with a significant increase in cases in some countries, such as:
- Over one million cases worldwide.
- 38,000 cases in Brazil, including 49 deaths.
- 13,000 cases in Colombia, with 100 children born with birth defects.
- 5,500 cases in El Salvador.
- 608 cases in Honduras.
- The European Union has declared a state of emergency due to the spread of the virus in several European countries.
The severity of the Virus:
Despite the virus's spread, it is not classified as hazardous, as most of its symptoms can be treated. The real issue is the lack of a vaccine or cure for the virus, which is expected to be available in at least two years. The biggest concern is the risk of birth defects.
So far, no cases of the Zika virus have been reported in Egypt or Arab countries. Although the mosquito that transmits the virus is known as the "Aedes aegypti," it differs from the mosquitoes that typically appear in the summer in Egypt.
Preventive Tips:
- Wear clothing that covers the body to protect against mosquito bites.
- Use insecticides in homes, and the government should spray streets and places where mosquitoes gather, like garbage dumps and drains.
- Avoid storing water in open containers.
- Travelers to countries where the virus is prevalent, especially in South America, should take all necessary precautions, which will be available at airports.