ZIKA-Be vigilant,do not panic.

ZIKA IMA Stand Update 

Dr K K Aggarwal • Zika, a viral infection causes fever, rash, joint pain, red eyes. It spreads mainly through the bite of Aedes mosquito. But the infection can also spread from a pregnant mother to her unborn baby, and through anal, oral or vaginal sex. • If acquired during pregnancy it can cause microcephaly in fetus. If one is not pregnant or not planning to get pregnant, it is likely to be harmless. • Zika has been reported from Central and South America, Mexico, Pacific Islands, Caribbean, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Africa, Southeast Asia. No cases have been reported in India yet. • Most (80%) people infected with Zika have no or only mild symptoms. If there are symptoms, they usually occur 2 to 12 days after being bitten by a mosquito that has the virus. • It can also cause Guillain-Barré syndrome. • If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, avoid traveling to countries with ongoing Zika virus transmission. • There is no specific treatment. Treatment involves rest, drink plenty of fluids and paracetamol. Do not take aspirin. In children, aspirin can cause a serious problem called Reye syndrome. • There is no vaccine for Zika virus infection. • To prevent Zika infection, stay inside when the aedes are most active. They bite during the daytime, in the very early morning, and in the few hours before sunset. Buildings with screens and air conditioning are safest. Wear shoes, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants when you go outside. Wear bug spray or cream that contains DEET or a chemical called picaridin. Do not use DEET on babies younger than 2 months. Use bug repellants that have a chemical permethrin on your clothes and gear. Drain any standing water. Avoid mosquito bites if you have already gotten Zika to stop further spread. • If you have been to a country where there is Zika virus, you should not donate blood for at least 4 weeks afterwards. • Travellers returning from areas with Zika virus transmission should abstain from or have only protected sex for at least 8 weeks. Couples planning to conceive should also wait 8 weeks—or 6 months if the male partner has symptoms of the virus. Previously, IMA recommended abstinence or protected sex for 4 weeks following a person’s return from an area where Zika is circulating. All Indian athletes and visitors attending this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Rio 2016 should use condoms while in Rio and for 8 weeks after returning home. • WHO had already ruled out any change in timing or the location of the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. However, WHO is reportedly reconsidering the rescheduling of the Olympic Games. It has asked a panel of experts to consider whether the Rio Summer Olympics should be held as scheduled due to concerns it could spread the Zika virus. Unnecessary risk is posed when 500,000 foreign tourists from all countries attend the Games, potentially acquire that strain and return home to places where it can become endemic. In the Commonwealth Games held in Delhi, there was a threat of deadly dengue virus • IMA has warned all those travelling to Brazil to take precautions against mosquito bites, and have said pregnant women should avoid areas where Zika is circulating, including Rio de Janeiro.

Courtasy IMA Blog