The virus gets its name from the Zika forest in Uganda, Africa. The virus is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is also responsible for the spread of dengue and chikungunya.
Incubation period
The incubation period (the time from exposure to symptoms) for Zika virus disease is not known, but is likely to be a few days to a week.
Symptoms
The symptoms are similar to other arbovirus infections such as dengue. These symptoms are usually mild and last for 2-7 days, which includes
• Fever
• Skin rashes
• Conjunctivitis
• Muscle, joint pain
• malaise and headache.
Diagnosis
Zika virus diagnosis can only be confirmed by laboratory testing for the presence of Zika virus RNA in the blood or other body fluids, such as urine or saliva.
Preventive Measures
Prevention can be done by using insect repellent; wearing clothes (preferably light-coloured) that cover as much of the body as possible; using physical barriers such as screens, closed doors and windows; and sleeping under mosquito nets. It is also important to empty, clean or cover containers that can hold water such as buckets, flower pots or tyres, so that places where mosquitoes can breed are removed.
Treatment
There is no vaccine to prevent or specific medicine to treat Zika infections.
Get plenty of rest.
Drink fluids to prevent dehydration.
Do not take aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
