The Zika virus
The Zika virus was first discovered in the Zika Forest in Uganda in 1947 with the first human cases of Zika being detected in 1952. Since then Zika outbreaks have been reported in the African tropics, the Pacific Islands, and Southeast Asia (CDC, 2017). Zika is spreads through a couple of ways including the obvious bite from an infected mosquito, sexual intercourse, from mother to unborn child, and possibly through blood transfusion though it is not confirmed yet. Symptoms include rash, fever, headache, redness of the eyes, joint pain, and muscle pain. Symptoms can last anywhere from several days, to a week though people mostly are not sick enough to go to a hospital (CDC, 2017). The virulence factors of the Zika virus and determined by using reverse genetic systems. This method has now been developed for use with both the Asian and African strain of the Zika virus and will be crucial to identifying the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind the differences in pathogenicity and other emerging arboviruses (Rico-Hesse, R., 2017). There is no vaccine or medicine for the Zika virus. Treatment for symptoms include preventing dehydration by drinking lots of fluids, reducing fever with medicines like acetaminophen, and getting plenty of rest (CDC, 2017). To diagnose Zika there is consideration of one’s recent travels, symptoms they are experiencing, and can be confirmed through a urine or blood test (CDC, 2017). Because Zika is spread through infected mosquitos, it is important to properly protect yourself and family from receiving mosquito bites. Methods to help prevent contraction of the Zika virus include bug repellent sprays, long sleeve clothing and long pants, keeping mosquitos out of your home by using screened in windows or doors, covering your bed with mosquito netting, and using protection during intercourse (CDC,2017). Because there is higher levels of poverty in Africa and Asia, it is harder for those people to prevent infection simply because they cannot afford any of the preventative measures.
Instructions– you must respond to the above post in 100-150 words in a substantive manner. You must paraphrase from all sources and cite in text as well as provide full end ref information in APA format. You may never use Wikipedia or any other Open Source to support this college level work!
You must paraphrase from all sources as direct quotation is not acceptable in science writing. References not included in word count.
