I chose to write on the zika virus because i want to

I chose to write on the Zika virus because I want to outline the differences between the
Zika virus and the well-known “Dengue Virus”. Knowing the difference between the two will
make our fellows aware of the signs of symptoms of the Zika virus and can find ways to control
or eradicate this virus from their household. I believe by teaching about the Zika virus we will
help people that are vulnerable to have knowledge to fight against the spread of this dangerous
virus.
The Zika virus was first identified in monkeys in Uganda in 1947. The first human case,
however, was detected in Nigeria in 1954, and following that there have been further outbreaks
in Africa, South East Asia and the Pacific Islands. While the symptoms of Zika typically pass
within the space of a week, there have been recent concerns about the virus are due to a potential
link between Zika and birth defects such as microcephaly.

In light of a strongly suspected causal relationship, the World Health Organization
(WHO) declared that the Zika virus outbreak constituted a Public Health Emergency of
International Concern on 1 February 2016.
A growing concern that is currently under investigation is a possible link
between maternal Zika virus infection and infant microcephaly. Brazil in particular has seen a
surge in infants born with microcephaly since October 2015, at rates that have been reported to
be 10 times higher than those in previous years.
These infants have been tested for Zika virus with mixed results - some positive and
some negative for the virus. Zika virus has been confirmed to be present in two amniotic fluid
samples of microcephalic babies. Researchers have confirmed more than 460 of these cases as
microcephaly and identified evidence of Zika infection in 41 of these cases, but have not proven
the virus can cause microcephaly. There are so far, no recorded cases of Zika-linked
microcephaly in Colombia, the government has said. Officials are still examining figures from
countries such as Brazil, but say Colombia can expect between 500 and 600 cases this
year(Brito). There is no vaccine or treatment for Zika, which causes mild fever, rash and red
eyes. An estimated 80 percent of people infected have no symptoms.
The institute said 29.4 percent of pregnant women with Zika live in Norte de Santander
province, along the eastern border with Venezuela. Colombia's Caribbean region, which includes
popular tourist destinations Cartagena and Santa Marta, had more than 12,488 cases of the virus,
the bulletin showed. The government has said pregnant women with Zika are eligible to access
much-restricted abortion services. Many women struggle to find abortion providers even when
they meet strict legal requirements and illegal abortions are widespread.

Like many other flaviviruses, Zika virus is transmitted by an arthropod:
the Aedes mosquito, including Aedes aegypti,Aedes africanus , Aedes luteocephalus , Aedes
albopictus , Aedes vittatus , Aedes furcifer, Aedes hensilli, and Aedesapicoargenteus. Sexual
transmission among humans has also been described.