The Emergence of Zika Virus (ZiV): A Review

Zika virus (ZiV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus (family Flaviviridae); Vector: aedes (ae. Aegypti, ae. Albopictus) also causes dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever. Bit by female mosquitoes mostly in daylight hour, associated with a neurological birth complication called Microcephaly, is the rapid spread of this virus across the globe. Researchers found that ZiV targets specialized stem cells that give rise to the neurons in the brain's outer layer, the cortex. First identify in rhesus monkey of Zika forest Uganda in April 1947, during the research on the yellow fever, Rockefeller foundation initiative. WHO declared the Zika outbreak to a 'Public health emergency of international concern' on January 2016. There are also high occurrences of outbreaks of Guillain- Barre Syndrome (GBS) associated with ZiV infections. Other neurological cases linked to ZiV infection include meningoencephalitis or acute myelitis. In 2007, first large outbreak of disease caused by Zika infection was reported from the island of YAP (Federated States of Micronesia). In July 2015, Brazil described an association between Zika and Guillain-Barre disorder. In Oct 2015, Brazil described an association between Zika and Microcephaly. Sexual transmission of Zika is also possible, blood transfusion can cause Zika.