Goemkarponn desk
Panaji: In light of the recent advisory issued by the Union Health Ministry to all states following a spate of Zika virus cases reported in Maharashtra, residents of Goa are advised to take appropriate precautionary measures to protect themselves from the mosquito-borne viral infection.
“The Zika virus is a flavivirus transmitted to humans by the Aedes mosquito, which also transmits dengue and chikungunya. The Zika virus can also be transmitted via sexual intercourse or blood transfusion,” said Dr Chitralekha Nayak, consultant physician at Healthway Hospitals, Old Goa.
Due to Goa’s proximity to Maharashtra and the ongoing monsoons, the state presents itself as a fertile breeding ground for the Aedes mosquito, which lays its eggs in stationary fresh water. A marked rise in the number of dengue cases in Goa has evidenced this.
According to Dr Nayak, infections in humans are often asymptomatic or benign and misdiagnosed as dengue, viral respiratory infection, influenza, or viral fever. “Zika virus is characterised by low-grade fever, headache, malaise, itchy rashes, conjunctivitis, joint and muscle pains, which appear three to 14 days after infection, and last for two to seven days. Other common clinical signs are vomiting and hearing impairment,” Dr Nayak stated.
Although a non-fatal disease, Zika is associated with causing preterm birth, miscarriages, as well as microcephaly (reduced head size) and neurological issues in babies born to infected pregnant women, which makes prevention against infection of utmost importance.
The diagnosis of Zika virus infection requires laboratory confirmation, hence those experiencing the previously mentioned symptoms should seek immediate medical attention, the medical professional said.
To prevent infection, people, especially pregnant women, women of reproductive age and young children are advised to protect themselves against mosquito bites during the day and early evening, as the Aedes mosquito is most active at those times.
Dr Nayak suggests wearing light-coloured clothing that offers maximum body coverage and using window screens and mosquito nets to block doors, windows and around beds. Those returning from active areas of infection are advised to practise safe sex or abstinence for a period of three months for men and two months for women.
Those infected, especially with symptoms of rash, fever, and joint pain should rest, drink fluids and consult a doctor to get appropriate medication. If symptoms worsen, seek immediate medical attention for laboratory testing and diagnosis, Dr Nayak said.
