Zika fever
Encyclopedia
Zika fever is an illness caused by the Zika virus
, a member of the family Flaviviridae
. The fever and virus are named after the Ugandan forest where the virus was first isolated. The virus is commonly found in Africa but has also been found in Malaysia and Micronesia, including Yap Island. Symptoms are similar to dengue fever
, but are milder in form and usually last four to seven days. Hemorrhagic manifestations have been documented in only one instance, hematospermia (red–brown fluid in ejaculate). Common symptoms include a maculopapular skin rash that starts on the face or trunk before moving to the rest of the body, conjunctivitis, joint pain, low-grade fevers and headache. It is generally believed that the virus is spread by mosquitoes, making vector control an essential element to disease control. A single instance of sexual transmission of Zika virus
between humans was reported in April, 2011 by a university biologist bitten by mosquitoes while performing research in Senegal
who after returning to the US unknowingly transmitted the Zika virus to his wife by vaginal intercourse before he became symptomatic.
Zika virus
Zika virus is a member of the Flaviviridae virus family and the flavivirus genus. In humans, it causes a disease known as Zika fever. It is related to dengue, yellow fever, West Nile and Japanese encephalitis, viruses that are also members of the virus family Flaviviridae...
, a member of the family Flaviviridae
Flaviviridae
The Flaviviridae are a family of viruses that are primarily spread through arthropod vectors . The family gets its name from Yellow Fever virus, a type virus of Flaviviridae; flavus means yellow in Latin...
. The fever and virus are named after the Ugandan forest where the virus was first isolated. The virus is commonly found in Africa but has also been found in Malaysia and Micronesia, including Yap Island. Symptoms are similar to dengue fever
Dengue fever
Dengue fever , also known as breakbone fever, is an infectious tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash that is similar to measles...
, but are milder in form and usually last four to seven days. Hemorrhagic manifestations have been documented in only one instance, hematospermia (red–brown fluid in ejaculate). Common symptoms include a maculopapular skin rash that starts on the face or trunk before moving to the rest of the body, conjunctivitis, joint pain, low-grade fevers and headache. It is generally believed that the virus is spread by mosquitoes, making vector control an essential element to disease control. A single instance of sexual transmission of Zika virus
Zika virus
Zika virus is a member of the Flaviviridae virus family and the flavivirus genus. In humans, it causes a disease known as Zika fever. It is related to dengue, yellow fever, West Nile and Japanese encephalitis, viruses that are also members of the virus family Flaviviridae...
between humans was reported in April, 2011 by a university biologist bitten by mosquitoes while performing research in Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
who after returning to the US unknowingly transmitted the Zika virus to his wife by vaginal intercourse before he became symptomatic.