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Zika Virus Epidemic : A Global Concern

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ZIKA VIRUS EPIDEMIC – A GLOBAL CONCERN:
“The level of concern is high as is the level of uncertainty,” said the World Health Organization (WHO) Director General –Dr Margaret Chan when briefing the executive board on the Zika situation in Geneva on 28th January 2016. She also mentioned four main reasons as to why the WHO is deeply concerned about the Zika situation, which include the virus’ virulence, potential for further international spread, lack of population immunity and lack of vaccines, specific treatments and Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs). Later on, on 1st February, the WHO declares an international public health emergency after the Zika virus was linked to thousands of birth defects in Brazil. The following paragraphs give an insight on the history, symptoms, diagnosis, transmission and treatment. All this will explain as to why the Zika virus epidemic is a global health concern.
Zika virus is a serious arbovirus (originating from arthropods) belonging to the family flaviviridae, carried and spread mainly by mosquito species known as Aedes aegyptii and A. albopictus (vectors), which thrive in the tropical and equatorial climates. The virus was first identified in Ziika rain forest in Uganda in 1947 in monkeys and later on identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and Tanzania. More cases were reported between 1960 and 1980 as the virus spread across West Africa and Asia. The first major outbreak was reported in 2007 in the Island of Yap where 73% of its residents were

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