Zika Virus

Question 1

What is Zika?

Answer 1

an emerging infections disease (EID), primarily a mosquito-borne flavavirus, also spread as an STD in semen

Question 2

What is the vector?

Answer 2

Aedes Aegypti mosquito, active 24 hours/day

Question 3

Symptoms

Answer 3

• mild fever
• skin rash
• conjunctivitis
• muscle and joint pain
• malaise
• headache

80% of infected people may be asymptomatic

Question 4

Complications

Answer 4

Guillian-Barre, microcephaly and other neurologic/developmental issues in children of infected pregnant women

Question 5

History of Zika

Answer 5

• First identified in rhesus monkey in 1947
• First human case: 1952
• 2015: current outbreak began in Brazil

Question 6

Treatment?

Answer 6

• No treatment; manage symptomatically

- self-limiting; lasts up to a week

Question 7

How to test for Zika?

Answer 7

• Use PCR on urine/serum specimens
• test for antibody (takes longer)
• test within 2 weeks of exposure

Question 8

Who is at risk?

Answer 8

• travelers to/residents of areas with active disease,
• sexual partners of infected people
• pregnant women/those intending to become pregnant are at exceptional risk due to complications

Question 9

CDC stance on Zika

Answer 9

• for every 1 diagnosed case, probably 10 undiagnosed cases
• will likely become endemic in western hemisphere
• still much to learn

Question 10

Prevention

Answer 10

No vaccine or prophylaxis exists
Mosquito spraying programs
Personal protection (mosquito bite prevention and condom usage)
Zika Prevention Kits

Question 11

CDC recommendations for pregnant/intending to become pregnant women

Answer 11

travel advisories, serial ultrasounds, safe sex guidance, issues of pregnancy termination,

Question 12

Antibody Development

Answer 12

CDC believes it is likely that exposure to Zika and antibody development protects against future re-infection