Public Risk Management

What is the Zika virus? A disease that is primarily spread to people through the bite of an infected Aedes species of mosquito. Zika virus was first discovered back in 1947, and only 12 human cases of the infection were recorded over the next 40 years. But since 2007, outbreaks have been recorded in the tropical forests of Africa, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and now in South and Central America and the Caribbean. How is Zika virus transmitted and what are the symptoms? It can be transmitted from human to human, whish is not unusual among mosquito-borne illnesses, e.g. malaria. Like malaria, Zika can be transmitted from an infected mother to her unborn fetus and through blood transfusions. Unlike malaria, Zika can also be transmitted through unprotected sexual relations. Common symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes, and last for several days to a week. Symptoms for 80 percent of those infected are minor. However, if a fetus is exposed at any time during pregnancy, it may develop