Zika Virus, which is responsible for a birth disorder in children, has already affected scores of countries in South America. Around 25 countries in South America have already been affected. Women in Brazil are giving birth to children with unusually small heads.
The World Health Organisation has warned several tropical countries including India to remain cautious. Pregnant women have been advised to avoid travel in South America. Women in South America have been asked to postpone their pregnancy until 2018.
The virus has already affected as many as eight US travelers after overseas trip between 2015 and January 2016. Cape Verde in Africa has already been affected by the virus. As far as European countries are concerned, two tourists, a Danish and a Swiss have been diagnosed with the virus after returning from Latin America.
Zika Virus is caused by two species of the Aedes Mosquito. In some cases, the virus is passed on to newborn babies by their mothers. WHO has said that the virus will go everywhere the Aedes Mosquito is. The same mosquito has been responsible for transmitting the Dengue virus and is widely found in India.
The weather conditions in tropical countries including India are conducive for the spread of the virus. In India, January has come to an end, and the thick of winters have almost made an exit. While winters are drier in the country, when the day temperatures rise, and winters start evading humidity levels begin to increase.
Warm temperatures and humid conditions are conducive for the spread of the Zika Virus. South India has already been witnessing maximums in the mid-30s. Central India including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have also been observing an increase in temperatures.
There is no drug to treat the Zika Virus. Moreover, a vaccine is also not available. The symptoms are quite similar to that of dengue. India provides a potent ground for the breeding of Zika virus. However, no case has been reported yet in the country. The only way to control the virus spread is taking preventive measures against the breeding of Aedes Mosquitoes.
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