Zika

Zika Virus

Symptoms:
-Fever
-Rash
-Joint Pain
-Red Eyes

"The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika. For this reason, many people might not realize they have been infected. Once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections." Per the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention).  The virus is related to dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and West Nile viruses.

Group:  Group IV ((+)ssRNA)
Family:  Flaviviridae
Genus:  Flavivirus
Species:  Zika virus
Transfer:  Aedes Aegypti Mosquito Bite, Sex (Vaginal, Anal, and Oral)

The virus was first discovered in 1947, the names origin is from Uganda (Country in Africa), do to the Zika Forest, which the virus is named after.  First known human cases were reported around 1950-1952. Cases continued to come up over the years. May of 2015, PAHO (Pan American Health Organization) issued an Alert for the first Zika Virus infection on 02/01/2015.  WHO (World Health Organization) declared the Zika Virus a PHEIC (Public Health Emergency of International Concern). 

There are no drugs, vaccines, or preventative for the Virus at this time.  People are recommended to get lots of rest, drink plenty of water and electrolytes, take vitamins if necessary, and eat healthy during their process.  Vitamin C is always a great idea to help your immune system.  Reports show that WHO has stated in interviews that a vaccine is in the works and that it could be readily available as soon as October of 2017.  CNN reports there have been 3 deaths do to complications related to the Zika virus, the statement was made by President Nicolas Maduro during an interview with CNN.

The Zika Virus has been accused of causing Birth Defects around the world. However, no known cases of birth defects have been proven to relate to the Zika Virus.  "As of February 2016, there is evidence that Zika fever in pregnant women is associated withintrauterine growth restriction including abnormalbrain development in their fetuses through mother-to-child transmission of the virus, which may result inmiscarriage or microcephaly. There is however no proof yet that the Zika virus causes microcephaly. A link has been established with neurologic conditions in infected adults, includingGuillain–Barré syndrome." Per WikiPedia.  But again, no proof has been found.

United States Infection Statistics as of 08/31/2016:
Locally Acquired Cases:  35
Travel-associated Cases:  2,686
Laboratory Acquired Cases:  1
Total US Cases:  2,722
-Sexually Transmitted:  23
-Guillain-Barré syndrome:  7
  (GBS is where the immune systems attacks the nerves.  Causing nerve cell damage leading to ascending paralysis.)

American Territory Infection Statistics as of 08/31/2016.
Samoa
-Travel:  0
-Local:  47

Puerto Rico
-Travel:  50
-Local:  13,791

US Virgin Islands
-Travel:  1
-Local:  221

Sources
Zika in the United States:  CDC Info
Spread of the Zika Virus:  CDC Info
Info on the Zika Virus:  CDC Info
Pregnant? Zika Virus:  CDC Info
Info on the Zika Virus:  WikiPedia Info