Fever developed by zika virus was first detected in the year 1947 in Uganda, Africa. A group of scientists were trying to find out the reason of yellow fever and its spread in Africa. They put a macaque in a cage and kept it for a night in the Zika forest of Uganda. In the next morning it was found that the macaque was having fever. Serum was taken and found that it was a different virus from yellow fever. This virus was named after Zika forest. The zika virus and fever caused by it was detected in Nigeria in 1951. The same virus was detected in Polynesia, Easter Island, Cook Island and New Caledonia. The same virus created severe health hazard in Yap island of Micronesia in 2007. Fever caused by zika virus was detected in north, north east and eastern part of Brazil during 2015. It has taken the form of epidemic in many countries. It has already spread in to other parts of South America, Central America and Caribbean islands. The areas affected by zika virus and its fever are Cape Verde, Samoa, Mexico, Panama, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Barbados, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Haiti, US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Saint Martinique, Hawaii, Guadeloupe, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Venezuela and Suriname. Some affected people travel back to countries outside the affected areas. Some cases are detected in UK, USA, Canada, Denmark, and Switzerland. The World Health Organization declared health emergency in the affected areas. It has issued advisory for pregnant women to avoid travel to the affected areas.
The zika virus causes fever, rash, muscle pain, joint pain, headache and conjunctivitis. The zika virus affect the infants and may damage the brain cells. The infection is caused by bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquito is infected by bite of an infected person. The adult mosquito is the carrier of the virus. The mosquito belongs to Aedes aegypti species. it is the similar mosquito that spreads dengue and chikungunya viruses. These mosquitoes lay eggs near stagnant water, buckets, flower pots, bowls and vases. These are active in day time. These mosquitoes stay near human habitations. Spread of virus is through mosquito bite. The incubation period is around one week. Hot and humid climate helps the mosquitoes to increase their population by over breeding.
The vaccine for zika virus is yet to be developed and tested. Plenty of rest is required for the patient. The patient is to be provided with enough water, fruit juice and lemon water. Doctors with experience of treating tropical fevers. may handle these patients properly. Yellow fever, malaria, dengue and chikungunya are creating epidemics conditions in many places in tropical regions. Prevention of mosquito bite helps in reduction of such fevers. Use of insect repellents, mosquito nets and fumigation help in reducing the impact of mosquitoes. Due to heat and heavy rain fall, the tropical regions are home to mosquitoes, flies, insects and worms. These creatures act as carrier of virus and bacteria. Zika virus is taking the form of an epidemic. Immediate steps are necessary for control and elimination of these viruses from the surface of earth.