Every year we hear one or another deadly virus affecting the human race. A new alert has been declared by the World Health Organization against the Zika virus. Worries regarding zika virus is intensifying as it is associated with a paralysis syndrome. It gives rise to a birth defect in newborns. These birth defects occurring in infants are termed as microcephaly. Health experts are head over heels working behind stopping the impact of this deadly virus. The health officials have asked women of the reproductive age to delay pregnancies till 2018. Birth defects are highly probably due to the zika virus, and thus, a delay is advisable till this virus is under control.
Earlier, the development team in El Salvador found 492 cases of zika virus. The El Salvador health department issued this guideline after finding thousands of birth defect cases in Brazil. The head and brain of children are not developed in microcephaly case. The government of Brazil has called in the military to help push the deadly virus. They have also sent in military aid for health workers who are working to combat the virus. It is spread by mosquitoes. Marcelo Castro, the Brazilian health minister passed a statement saying that 2,66,000 community health workers will be employed along with 44,000 health agents to eradicate the virus.
Previously, the concerns were not high. It only happened after thousands of reports were placed regarding the same kind of problem. A rare paralysis syndrome has also come up with the virus. Guillain-Barre Syndrome is caused by an immunological response which occurs after the infection. It occurs after infection from other viral bacteria which include influenza. In Colombia also, women are ordered to avoid pregnancies for the coming two years. Scientists are gathering more information about zika virus. Upon proper discovery, only some considerable steps will be taken.
Aedes genus of mosquitoes is the primary carriers of this virus. This is the same mosquito which leads to the spread of dengue virus. Till now, the effects of Zika virus have been found mainly in South East Asia, Africa, and Pacific islands.