Zika virus reemerges and alerts pregnant women

Miami.-The Virus Zika virus, whose incidence has declined since 2017, quietly returns to countries America, The World Health Organization reports that cases have increased in recent years (WHO) It recommends “maintaining an appropriate level of monitoring”.

It mainly reminds pregnant women to be vigilant and prevent diseases.

A new cycle of viruses transmitted by mosquitoes Aedes mosquitoThe World Health Organization said in a release that it was confirmed during a virtual meeting of epidemiologists trying to study the global situation of the disease to take steps and provide an early response.

Despite its low incidence, its presence has been identified in 89 countries.

María Van Kerkhove, head of the Emerging Diseases and Zoonoses Unit, said that because most infections with the virus are asymptomatic or mild, detection is difficult, so he warned , Pregnant women who are susceptible to it should take care of themselves. World Health Organization.

He pointed out that the virus can cause congenital abnormalities in fetuses, increase the possibility of premature birth, and even lead to spontaneous abortion.

Symptoms include rash, fever, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, and general malaise for two to seven days.

Zika virus is widespread (except in the United States)

Looking at the global situation, experts found that 89% of virus cases registered between 2014 and 2023 came from 10 countries in the Americas. Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela top the list.

According to the World Health Organization, “there are currently no cases of local transmission of Zika virus in the continental United States, including Florida and Texas, which reported mosquito-borne Zika virus transmission in 2016-17.” Canada, mainland Chile and Neither does Uruguay.

Data from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) at the regional level shows a much lower incidence of Zika, with 27,000 cases by 2023, compared to more than 3 million cases for dengue or chikungunya each and 324,000 cases.

However, he believes it is critical to “recognize the link between acute Zika virus infection and the manifestations of neurological syndromes such as Guillain-Barre”. The virus has been associated with infections of the central nervous system, including myelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord) and meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain and surrounding tissues).

 NULL