What is the Zika virus?

Zika virus, a member of the Flaviviridae family, is transmitted by infected mosquitoes, including the Aedes Aegypti and Aedes albopictus species. It shares similarities with Dengue and Chikungunya, known for their severe health implications.

Discovery of Zika virus in Pakistan:

The first case of the Zika virus was discovered by students of Agha Khan University in Karachi in 2021.

Symptoms/Causes:

1. People don’t get sick enough to take medication, so they ignore it.
2. Mild fever, joint pain, vomiting, and conjunctivitis are the significant causes.

Spread of Zika virus in Pakistan?

The Zika virus is likely to spread in Punjab. While no cases have been reported in Pakistan yet, the lack of effective public health measures increases the risk of an outbreak.

Precautions:

Protecting yourself from mosquito bites and wearing long-sleeved shirts can prevent this.

Vaccination:

There is still no vaccination for the Zika virus.