The World Health Organization declared a global emergency on Monday to address the developing threat of a condition linked to the Zika virus.
The news has been all Zika virus, all day for weeks. It's enough to make someone panic. But hold off on the panic for a moment. Here is what you need to know.
1. What is the Zika virus?
The Zika virus is transmitted by Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes. Normally, the virus is relatively mild and causes flulike symptoms, although in very rare cases it has also been reported to cause a paralysis disorder called Guillain-Barre syndrome. The virus was first identified in Uganda and Tanzania in 1952 but has been found in the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific since then. The most recent outbreak started in Brazil and has spread to numerous other countries in the Americas.
2. Why are we worried about Zika virus?
While Zika is relatively mild, Brazil has noted a significant increase in babies being born with microcephaly to woman who contracted the virus while pregnant. Microcephaly causes babies to be born with abnormally small heads and brains. Some 4,000 cases of microcephaly have been reported in Brazil alone since October of last year. Thus the Zika virus poses the greatest threat to unborn infants.
3. Where is Zika present right now?
It's important to note that Zika is nearly always transmitted through mosquito bites, although cases of transmission through sexual fluids and blood transfusions have been reported . Currently, the only countries where cases have been reported of individuals contracting the disease are in the Americas, Africa and the Pacific. Although several individuals have returned from trips to these areas to other countries and have been then diagnosed with the infection, those who interact with them are not at risk for contracting the virus except possibly through sexual intercourse or blood transfusions.
4. How can Zika be treated?
It can't. There is currently no vaccine or medication to stop Zika. The only way to avoid the virus is to not be bitten by mosquitoes, to avoid sexual contact with individuals who have contracted the virus and to not accept blood transfusions from infected individuals. However, for the majority of people, the virus will cause no major threat and is currently only a serious concern for pregnant mothers and their unborn children. Bug spray and mosquito nets should be used in areas where individuals have been reported to contract the disease, especially by expectant mothers.
5. What are Arab countries doing about Zika?
Emirates Airline has offered to refund tickets for anyone traveling to the infected areas and Qatar Airways has made the same offer to pregnant mothers and their travel companions. Qatar Airways is maintaining the offer through March 31 and Emirates Airline's offer stands through April 30. Several Arab countries have also put out travel warnings for infected countries.
If you're worried, let's see if you have any reason to be: Are you or your sexual partners traveling to the Americas in the near future, or have you?
If not, then probably not a concern.
If yes, are you a woman?
If not, then probably not a concern.
If yes, are you either pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant soon?
If not, then probably no reason to be concerned.