DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2016.v04i07.035

Pages: 2478-2479

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection has emerged as the latest health threat of international concern. In 1952, the first human cases of Zika were detected and since then, outbreaks of Zika have been reported in tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. This mosquito-borne disease is a serious threat; it is usually so mild and difficult to be undetectable in adults, yet it has been followed by a surge in babies born with underdeveloped heads, a condition called microcephaly .Substantial new research has strengthened the association between Zika infection and the occurrence of fetal malformations and neurological disorders. The ZIKV natural transmission cycle involves mosquitoes, especially Aedes spp., but perinatal transmission and potential risk for transfusion-transmitted ZIKV infections has also been demonstrated. Vector control measures and appropriate personal protective measures should be aggressively promoted and implemented to reduce the risk of exposure to Zika virus.