Zika Outbreak A Global Warning

Zika Outbreak: A Global Warning delves into the intricacies of the Zika virus, classified within the Flaviviridae family, and its primary transmission methods, including mosquito bites (especially from Aedes species), sexual transmission, blood transfusion, and vertical transmission from mother to fetus. The book discusses the clinical presentation of Zika virus infection, highlighting symptoms such as fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis, and compares these with other mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and chikungunya. It details the diagnostic process, utilizing molecular tests (RT-PCR) and serological tests (IgM and IgG antibodies), and emphasizes the importance of accurate differentiation from similar illnesses. The severe complications associated with Zika, particularly during pregnancy-such as microcephaly and other congenital anomalies in newborns, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and neurological conditions in adults-are thoroughly examined. Preventive measures, including mosquito control strategies, personal protection methods, travel advisories, and precautions against sexual transmission, are discussed. The book provides an overview of the 2015-2016 Zika outbreak in the Americas, its global implications, and the response from health organizations. It reviews available treatments, primarily supportive care, and ongoing research into antiviral therapies and vaccines. The progress and challenges in Zika virus vaccine development, the roles of international health organizations like WHO and CDC in control and prevention, and current and future research directions to better understand and combat the virus are also explored.