Serious Outbreak of Dangerous Zika Virus

According to MSN News, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States reported that cases of the infectious disease 'Zika,' which is brought to America by travelers from Africa, have been observed in several locations across the country. Zika, a virus with its epicenter in West Africa, is transmitted to humans by Aedes mosquitoes and causes deadly diseases such as yellow fever, chikungunya, and dengue fever. The CDC stated that 12 cases of this disease have been seen in the states of Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, and Texas. All these cases were found among individuals who recently returned from West African countries to the U.S. Although cases of this virus have been observed in the United States, it seems that cases have also been seen throughout the entire continent of America. By mid-January 2016, Zika cases had spread to 20 countries in this continent. In Brazil, Zika has been declared a public health crisis. Infection of pregnant women with Zika in Brazil has resulted in the birth of babies with very small skulls, leading to brain growth issues in these children. More than 3,500 cases of this virus in newborns have been reported in Brazil. The New York Times reported the birth of the first American baby infected with the Zika virus in Hawaii. The mother of this baby had spent the summer in Brazil and appears to have contracted the Zika virus there. In recent weeks, the CDC has issued recommendations for U.S. citizens traveling to Brazil. One of the challenges for health officials is diagnosing Zika disease. The symptoms of this disease are similar to many other infectious and arthritic diseases. Additionally, eighty percent of carriers of this disease show no symptoms but only transmit the virus to others. Symptoms of Zika include fever, rash and itching, joint pain, red eyes, headache, and nausea that can last for days. There is still no vaccine for Zika, and the only way to prevent it is to avoid Aedes mosquito bites.