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Although not a new illness, Zika is currently spreading at an alarming rate in Central and South America, a tropical disease that is caused by the Zika virus. Zika is spread primarily by an infected Aedes aegypti female mosquito, where the mosquito becomes infected by biting a person already infected by the virus. The Zika virus is in the same family as yellow fever, dengue fever, and the west nile virus and is known to cause mild symptoms such as a rash, headaches, fever, and pink eye. In fact, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says only 20% of those infected will get sick.

Aedes aegypti mosquito. Credit: James Gathany

So if this illness is mild, then why are we concerned? On top of the fact that more than a million people have already been infected in Brazil, there is now evidence that Zika may be linked to birth defects in unborn infants. Scientists say that pregnant woman who get infected could pass this virus to their child, causing the fetus to develop microcephaly, a small brain and head abnormality. New York Times stated that more than 4,000 cases of microcephaly have been registered in Brazil. Hawaii’s Department of Health has also confirmed USA’s first microcephaly case linked to the Zika virus. Moreover, The Vancouver Sun has reported 2 confirmed cases of Zika in B.C. residents. With no treatment or vaccine available, there have been growing concerns for its appearance in North America.

MRI’s of a normal individual (left) and a patient with microcephaly caused by an ASPM mutation (right). Credit: Public Library of Science (PLOS) Biology

World Health says that the virus will likely spread to regions of Central, South and North America with the exception of Chile and Canada, as the type of mosquitos that spread the Zika virus are not present in these two countries. It is also important to note that the Zika virus isn’t necessarily being transmitted in North America but it is infected people that are returning from Brazil and Mexico for example, who are bringing the disease to Canada and the United States. Researchers are predicting that Zika will likely follow the same pattern as dengue fever in the US, hitting the hardest in the hotter months.

It is important to educate the public about Zika and advise pregnant woman to postpone their travels to these countries where they could possibly become infected.

When trying to prevent getting infected by this virus, the most important prevention methods revolve around mosquito bites, as this is the most common way this virus spreads within a population. The following are therefore critical when you are in a location where this virus is found: wearing long-sleeve clothing, sleeping with a mosquito net, and most importantly, using insect repellant.

The video below by CNN explains the possible spreading of this virus, along with the concerns about pregnant woman with the Zika disease.

-Daniela Castillo