A public health emergency of international concern has been issued by the World Health Organization regarding the outbreak of the Zika virus. The Zika virus has affected millions in South America, Southeast Asia, and Africa, and is now making its way up to North America. Infection is caused by being bitten by an Aedes mosquito.
Symptoms of the Zika virus include fever, rashes, muscle pain, and red eyes; however the main concern of the Zika virus is directed towards pregnant women. Since the outbreak of Zika, countries that are highly affected by the virus have had an increase in babies born with microcephaly. Microcephaly is a deformation of the head due to the brain not being properly developed. Scientists believe there is a direct link between women who are infected and their children being born with microcephaly. Over 4,000 infants have been diagnosed with microcephaly since October 2015.
Studies being conducted at Roberto Santos General Hospital in Salvador, Bahia, show that the majority of infants that suffered severely had mothers who were infected by Zika in the first trimester. In addition to the underdevelopment of the brain, children born with Microcephaly will also struggle seizures and vision problems and a loss of brain tissue.
Despite microcephaly, there is a possible range of other outcomes that might come from being bitten by an Aedes mosquito.
“We do not yet understand the full spectrum of outcomes that might be associated with infection during pregnancy, nor the factors that might increase risk to the fetus,” experts from the Center for Disease Control said.
There are many variables which are leaving officials uncertain about the effects of the Zika virus. The concerns are that there may be more life threatening effects then scientists have discovered so far.
“This emergency is because of what’s unknown. The Ebola emergency was because of what was known,” David Heymann infectious-disease professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said.
There are no known vaccines to treat Zika, however preventative measures can be taken, such as wearing long sleeves and pants, sleeping with a bed net, or using repellant spray. Aside from pregnant women, cases of the virus being sexually transmitted have increased.
“The good thing is now that the virus has more attention we can learn more about it,” NHS Biology teacher Tara Allegretto said.
The World Health Organization recommends that anyone who is pregnant or plans on becoming pregnant should seek medical advice and be monitored by a professional. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that pregnant women should be tested after returning from an infected area, even if they are not experiencing symptoms. Two pregnant from Hawaii contracted the virus while traveling and miscarried upon returning home. It is believed that the mother was infected while living in Brazil last year, and passed the virus to her unborn baby.
“It’s definitely something that is frightening. I think the news is hyping it up, and now it’s getting a lot of attention. It is making people almost hyper aware, and it’s good to be aware it terms of people who are pregnant and looking to travel,” Allegretto said.
Originally Zika was not a big deal for people who were not pregnant, and only one in every four people showed symptoms and they were typically mild and only lasting a few days. However, scientists are discovering it may possibly be causing neurological damage in some people who may or may not have pre-existing conditions.
Additional concerns about the virus regard the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Brazil. For people attending the game as well as the athletes the rising number of Zika cases is becoming an issue.
“If I had to make the choice today, I wouldn’t go, I would never take the risk of having an unhealthy child. Competing in the Olympics should be a safe environment for every athlete, male and female alike. Female athletes should not be forced to make a decision that could sacrifice the health of a child” US Olympic soccer goalkeeper Hope Solo said.
The fear of the athletes and fans becoming sick could possibly dissuade people from going to the games.
“At the moment we have a new problem and are facing this with the help of the government and the authorities. Our priority is the health of the athletes, the health of all Brazilians and protection for all those who work at the Olympics. We are sure this battle can be won and will not affect the Games,” spokesman Mário Andrada for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games said.
“I think the scariest is once you have it there is nothing you can do about it. It would be enough to discourage me from going to those places,” Allegretto said.
Image Courtesy of cnn.com