Zika mosquito spreads the virus by bite during the day. Zika vaccine can help improve Zika symptoms, such as malaise, conjunctivitis, and rash.

The Rising Zika Threat

Introduction

In recent years, it has become clear that climate change is an inevitable phenomenon meant to wreak havoc worldwide. The rising temperatures associated with global warming cause rising sea levels which, ultimately, lead to several health consequences. An increase in infectious diseases and respiratory diseases are just a few consequences of the creeping climate change<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>. But what should be really worrying us right now is that researchers have also predicted an increase in mosquito-borne disease transmission in the upcoming years due to the increased frequency of rain<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>.

Basically, climate change is frightening because it is expected to increase the length of disease transmission season and more breeding areas for many mosquitoes. In particular, it&rsquo;s the transmission of Aedes-borne viruses, such as Zika, chikungunya, and dengue, which is expected to increase everywhere, including high-altitude regions in the tropics, Europe, and Canada<a href="#accordion">[3]</a>.&nbsp;

Currently, Zika transmission is limited to the tropics due to the ideal breeding temperatures of the place. However, with climate change shifting the world&rsquo;s temperature, more regions may become suitable breeding sites and aid in the transmission of the Zika virus. As a result, more than 1.3 billion new people may be exposed to the Zika virus by 2050 due to warming temperatures. Out of this, 737 million people may be exposed to year-round Zika transmission due to ideal breeding temperatures<a href="#accordion">[4]</a>.&nbsp;

East Africa, East Asia, the Middle East, North America, and Western Europe may have a significant increase in mosquito-borne diseases. In recent years, the Zika virus has seen an emergence across the Pacific and the Americas. This poses a threat to human health, especially to pregnant women. Approximately, 5-15% of infants born to Zika-infected women show symptoms of virus-related complications<a href="#accordion">[5]</a>.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Understanding The Rising Zika Threat

Zika is a mosquito-borne viral disease transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Yes, the same mosquitoes are also responsible for the transmission of <a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/chikungunya">chikungunya</a>, <a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/dengue">dengue</a>, and yellow fever.&nbsp;

Most people may not develop symptoms when bitten by an infected mosquito. However, some may experience fever, rash, malaise, headache, <a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/allergic-conjunctivitis">conjunctivitis</a>, muscle, and joint pain after contracting the infection. In pregnant women, the infection may cause several complications.&nbsp;

Although Zika is transmitted via the bite of an infected mosquito, the virus has also been detected in samples of semen, urine, blood, and saliva. Thus, transmission via sexual contact and blood transfusions may be a possibility to consider. To make matters worse, vertical transmission is also possible, as the virus is able to cross the placental barrier in pregnant women, which means a fetus can get the infection while it&#39;s still in the womb.&nbsp;

The Zika virus has been detected in breast milk as well. However, there is currently no evidence of the virus being transmitted to babies via breastfeeding. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, regardless of Zika virus infection in the mother.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Common complications of the Zika virus include:

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/guillain-barre-syndrome-108">Guillain-Barr&eacute; Syndrome</a></li>
	<li>Neuropathy</li>
	<li>Myelitis</li>
</ul>

&nbsp;

In pregnant women, Zika infection may cause:

<ul>
	<li>Microcephaly</li>
	<li>Fetal brain defects</li>
	<li>Congenital Zika virus syndrome (symptoms including seizures, head malformations, involuntary movement, brainstem dysfunction, brain anomalies, and hearing loss)</li>
	<li>Fetal loss</li>
	<li>Preterm birth</li>
	<li>Stillbirth</li>
</ul>

&nbsp;

There are currently no specific treatments or vaccines for the Zika virus. Instead, supportive treatment with fluids, rest, and pain relievers is mostly advised.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The following measures are recommended for pregnant women, but they can be practiced by everyone:

Pregnant women who have contracted the Zika virus should undergo regular 4-weekly (monthly) fetal ultrasound scans for monitoring the baby&rsquo;s growth<a href="#accordion">[6]</a>. This also includes asymptomatic women who have been exposed to the virus along with those who tested negative for the virus. However, their potential exposure may require regular screening of the fetus.

<ul>
	<li>Avoid traveling to areas with Zika outbreaks.</li>
	<li>Use a condom during sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) if the partner has recently traveled to an endemic region.</li>
	<li>Use insect repellents.</li>
	<li>Sleep under mosquito bed nets</li>
	<li>Be alert to symptoms of the infection if a loved one has recently traveled to a Zika-endemic region. These include fever, rash, headache, conjunctivitis, and joint pain.</li>
</ul>

Currently, there&rsquo;s no scientific evidence to indicate that a woman who contracted Zika infection before her pregnancy risks transmitting the virus in future pregnancies. Likewise, there is no test to confirm whether a previous infection may protect a person from future Zika infections.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Conclusion

Although vaccines exist for dengue and even malaria now, mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika and chikungunya have no available vaccines against them. Thus, there is a risk of such diseases easily becoming a global threat, especially, considering that climate change has been providing an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes and further helping disease transmission.&nbsp;

Key Points

<ul>
	<li>Zika is a mosquito-borne viral disease transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Most people don&rsquo;t develop symptoms from the bite of an infected mosquito. However, some may contract the infection and experience fever, rash, malaise, headache, conjunctivitis, and muscle and joint pain.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Currently, Zika transmission is limited to the tropics due to the ideal breeding temperatures. However, as climate change shifts the world&rsquo;s temperature, more regions may become suitable breeding sites and aid in the transmission of the Zika virus. As a result, more than 1.3 billion new people may be exposed to the Zika virus by 2050 due to warming temperatures.</li>
	<li>Although the Zika virus is transmitted via the bite of an infected mosquito, the virus has been detected in samples of semen, urine, blood, and saliva. Thus, transmission via sexual contact may be a possibility.</li>
	<li>In pregnant women, Zika infection may cause fetal loss, preterm birth, stillbirth, and congenital anomalies, such as microcephaly.</li>
	<li>There are currently no specific treatments for the Zika virus. Instead, supportive treatment with fluids, rest, and pain relievers is mostly advised.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Pregnant women who have contracted the Zika virus may undergo regular 4-weekly fetal ultrasound scans for monitoring the baby&rsquo;s growth. This includes asymptomatic women and those who tested negative for the virus.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

[1] The health effects of global warming: Developing countries are the most vulnerable. United Nations.

[2] Colón-González FJ, Sewe MO, Tompkins AM, et al. Projecting the risk of mosquito-borne diseases in a warmer and more populated world: A multi-model, Multi-scenario Intercomparison Modelling Study. The Lancet Planetary Health. 2021;5(7). doi:10.1016/s2542-5196(21)00132-7

[3] Ryan SJ, Carlson CJ, Mordecai EA, Johnson LR. Global expansion and redistribution of aedes-borne virus transmission risk with climate change. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 2019;13(3). doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0007213

[4] Ryan SJ, Carlson CJ, Tesla B, et al. Warming temperatures could expose more than 1.3 billion new people to zika virus risk by 2050. Global Change Biology. 2020;27(1):84-93. doi:10.1111/gcb.15384

[5] Zika virus. World Health Organization.

[6] Burke RM, Pandya P, Nastouli E, Gothard P. Zika virus infection during pregnancy: what, where, and why?. Br J Gen Pract. 2016;66(644):122-123. doi:10.3399/bjgp16X683917

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