by Michael Zimmerman, Tyler Chismar and Draven Stanley Zika Virus by Michael Zimmerman, Tyler Chismar and Draven Stanley

About Zika virus, also known as Zika and is distinct from Zika fever, is a virus contracted from the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. The name “zika” comes from the Zika forest in Uganda, where it was first discovered. There is currently no cure or vaccine for Zika, and the best course of action is prevention. The symptoms last from several days to a week, and include fever, rashes, joint pain, and/or conjunctivitis. They can also include muscle pain and headaches. It is related to dengue and chikungunya, which are both diseases spread by Aedes aegypti.

History The Zika virus was first discovered in the Zika forest of Uganda in 1947, while scientists of the Yellow Fever Research Institute were monitoring sylvatic yellow fever in rhesus monkeys. Subsequently, it was first identified in a human in 1952 when it was found in the blood of a Nigerian 10 year old who recovered within 3 days. As of 2016, there is evidence to a correlation between Zika virus and multiple genetic disorders. In Brazil, an outbreak of Zika virus coincided with a noticeable increase in microcephaly.

THE SYMPTOMS FOR ZIKA VIRUS. Fever Rash Joint pain Muscle pain Headache Conjunctivitis (red eyes) Symptoms are usually mild and lasting for several days up to a week. The time period from exposure to symptoms is still being researched, but is believed to be a few days to a week. It usually remains in the blood for about a week.

Birth Defects Zika virus has been linked to birth defects in infected pregnant women. Although more research has to be conducted to be sure if there is a correlation between Zika virus and birth defects, but it is believed that mothers can pass the Zika virus on to their fetus during pregnancy, which interferes in development. Much of the evidence that leads to the theory of Zika virus causing birth defects is from Brazil, in which an outbreak of Zika virus correlated with an increase of infants born with microcephaly, or a small head usually from an abnormally developed brain. Currently, as of 2016, there is no evidence to suggest that Zika virus (after it has been cleared from the blood) poses any risk for birth defects for future pregnancies.

Transmission Primarily, Zika virus is transmitted through the bite of a Yellow fever mosquito, also known as Aedes Aegypti. It can also be transmitted by an Aedes albopictus. There is evidence to suggest that Zika virus can be transmitted sexually, which also can be transmitted from the pregnant mother to the infant. There are multiple reports in Brazil that Zika virus has been contracted through blood transfusion. - Reported cases of Zika

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Works Cited Symptoms of Zika Virus. Digital image. Medical News Today. Web. 1 Mar. 2016. History of Zika Virus. Digital image. Web. 1 Mar. 2016. WHO. You Tube. Web. 1 Mar. 2016.