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The Zika Virus (ZIKV)

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The Zika virus was first discovered in 1947 in a rhesus monkey in a forest in Uganda. This virus also known as ZIKV, is a type of Flavivirus, which is a form of a fast evolving RNA virus. From there, Zika was then discovered all around the African continent in countries such as Nigeria (1971, 1975), Sierra Leone (1972), Gabon (1975), Uganda (1969, 1970), Senegal (1988-1991) and Côte d’lvoire (1999). Additionally, Zika was also discovered in Asia as well. Cities like Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Micronesia and Cambodia all were plagued with this disease (Freire, Lamarino, Faye et al.). Over time, the virus Zika has indeed mutated so that it could infect more hosts and cause deadlier symptoms and evolve into the virus that we know today. As Zika migrated across the globe, its symptoms seemed to progress with its travel. As the virus traveled it mutated and evolved to include a vast array of different symptoms and accelerated its ability to affect more populations. In today’s society, the symptoms of Zika are a lot more severe and more prevalent than ever in the past. Scientists link this rise in severity and prevalence of symptoms to an increased number of transmission routes and symptoms. Thirty years ago, we did not see the neurological symptoms that we see today. Zika was thought of as just a mild …show more content…

It was not considered to be a danger to humans. Then in April of 2007, an influx of Zika took place in Micronesia, where about 50 people were diagnosed with the virus. This outbreak demonstrated the potential Zika had as an emerging disease with rapidly evolving symptoms and modes of transmission. Because of this, mosquitos were associated as vectors for the disease to carry it across not only continents but around the globe as well. Over time, it spread from countries in Africa and Asia to South America and then the United

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