DE FAAKTO OUTBREAK INTELLIGENCE
SITUATION ZIKA OUTBREAK-INDIA
U.S. CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL IS REPORTING,
- Alert – Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions
- Outbreak of Zika has been reported in India
- Public health officials in India have reported an unusual increase in the number of confirmed Zika cases in Rajasthan and surrounding states
- Zika is endemic (regularly found) in India
- Zika continues to be a risk throughout India
- Pregnant women should NOT travel to areas with Zika outbreaks (CDC)
De Faakto Outbreak Intelligence published an alert for the Zika virus-India in December of 2018 https://defaakto.com/2018/12/17/zika-virus-india-unusual-increase-in-cases/
ABOUT ZIKA VIRUS
How Zika Spreads
Zika virus spreads to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes
species mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus). The mosquitoes that spread
Zika can bite at day and night
Zika virus can also spread
• During sex with a person who has Zika to his or her sex partners
• From a pregnant woman to her fetus during pregnancy
or around the time of birth
• Through blood transfusion (likely but not confirmed) (CDC)
Zika Symptoms
Many people infected with Zika won’t have symptoms or
will only have mild symptoms. The most common symptoms are fever, rash,
headache, joint pain, red eyes, and muscle pain. Symptoms can
last for several days to a week. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the
hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika. Once a person has been infected with
Zika, they are likely to be protected from future infections. (CDC)
Why Zika is Risky for Some People
Zika infection during pregnancy can cause microcephaly and other birth defects.
Microcephaly is a birth defect in which a baby’s head is smaller than expected when
compared to babies of the same sex and age. There have also been increased reports
of Guillain-Barré syndrome, an uncommon sickness of the nervous system, in areas
affected by Zika. (CDC)
How to Prevent Zika
There is no vaccine to prevent Zika. The best way to prevent diseases spread by
mosquitoes is to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites and from
getting Zika through sex (CDC)
What to Do if You Have Zika
There is no specific medicine to treat Zika. Treat the symptoms:
• Get plenty of rest.
• Drink fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Take medicine such as acetaminophen to reduce fever and pain.
• Do not take aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
• If you are taking medicine for another medical condition, talk to
your healthcare provider before taking additional medication.
To help prevent others from getting sick, strictly follow steps to
prevent mosquito bites during the first week of illness. (CDC)
CDC https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/alert/zika-virus-india
