关于寨卡病毒:
Zika is ssRNA containing virus primarily spread by mosquito and human serves as natural host. It causes Zika fever in human characterized by fever, rashes, joint pain and conjunctivitis. In May 2015 Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infections in Brazil. WHO is expecting 4 million cases of Zika virus alone in America by the end of 2016. Unborn children are biggest threat to this virus and babies were born with deformed heads to virus infected mothers. New born babies with shrunken skull called microcephaly a congenital deformation of the skull that compresses the infants' brain. Thus pregnant women should be more cautious in travelling to Zika infected area.
CDC的通告: Interim guidelines for testing infants with Zika virus
CDC has developed interim guidelines for health care providers in the U.S. who are caring for infants born to mothers who traveled to or resided in an area with Zika virus transmission during pregnancy. These guidelines include recommendations for the testing and management of these infants.
Pediatric health care providers should work closely with obstetric providers to identify infants whose mothers were potentially infected with Zika virus during pregnancy (based on travel to or residence in an area with Zika virus transmission) and review fetal ultrasounds and maternal testing for Zika virus infection.
Zika virus testing is recommended for 1) infants with microcephaly or intracranial calcifications born to women who traveled to or resided in an area with Zika virus transmission while pregnant; or 2) infants born to mothers with positive or inconclusive test results for Zika virus infection. For infants with laboratory evidence of a possible congenital Zika virus infection, additional clinical evaluation and follow-up is recommended. Health care providers should contact their state or territorial health department to facilitate testing.
The only way to prevent congenital Zika virus infection is to prevent maternal infection, either by avoiding areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing or strictly following steps to avoid mosquito bites. Mosquito-bite prevention includes using air conditioning or window and door screens when indoors, wearing long sleeves and pants, using permethrin-treated clothing and gear, and using insect repellents.
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY
California Department of Public Health
Division of Communicable Disease Control
What is Zika?
Zika is an infectious disease caused by the Zika virus, which is transmitted to people by Aedes mosquitoes. Symptoms of Zika typically include fever, rash, joint pain, and/or red eyes.
Where does Zika occur?
Zika occurs in many tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world, particularly in Africa, Southeast Asia, and islands in the Pacific Ocean. Recent outbreaks have occurred in Latin America and the Caribbean.
How do people get Zika?
Zika virus is transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (also known as yellow fever mosquitoes) and by Aedes albopictus mosquitoes (also known as Asian tiger mosquitoes). These mosquitoes are not native to California. However, since 2011 they have been detected in several California counties. An Aedes mosquito can only transmit Zika virus after it bites a person who has this virus in their blood. Thus far in California, Zika virus infections have been documented only in a few people who were infected while travelling outside the United States. A person with Zika is not contagious. Zika is not spread through casual contact such as touching or kissing a person with the virus, or by breathing in the virus.
What are the symptoms of Zika?
Most people infected with Zika virus have no symptoms. If symptoms develop, the most common are fever, rash, joint pain, and/or red eyes. Symptoms usually begin 3-7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito and last several days to a week. There are other causes of fever and painful joints. Your healthcare provider can order different tests to help determine the cause.
What's the relationship between Zika virus and microcephaly in newborns?
There is a possible association between Zika and microcephaly (abnormally small head) in newborns. It is suspected that pregnant women who contract Zika virus through the bite of an infected mosquito are at risk of the fetal birth defect. However, there are many causes of microcephaly in babies, and whether Zika virus infection causes fetal microcephaly has not been confirmed. Studies are needed to understand this possible relationship.
Until more is known, and out of an abundance of caution, the California Department of Public Health recommends special travel precautions for pregnant women and women trying to become pregnant:
• Pregnant women in any trimester should consider postponing travel to areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. Pregnant women who must travel to one of these areas should talk to their healthcare provider first and strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites during the trip.
• Women trying to become pregnant should consult with their healthcare provider before traveling to these areas and strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites during the trip.
• Pregnant women who traveled to an area with ongoing Zika virus transmission during pregnancy should be evaluated for Zika virus infection if they had any symptoms suggestive of Zika or if their baby has evidence of microcephaly. Other mosquito-borne virus infections, such as dengue and chikungunya, should be ruled out in these patients.
What's the relationship between Zika virus and Guillain-Barré Syndrome?
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare autoimmune disease affecting the nervous system leading to muscle weakness. Cases of GBS were reported among some persons with Zika in the French Polynesia Zika outbreak in 2013-2014, and an increase of GBS cases has recently been noted in Brazil and El Salvador where Zika outbreaks are ongoing. Whether Zika virus infection causes GBS is still not clear and awaits additional studies.
How is Zika treated?
There is no specific treatment for Zika. Talk with your health care provider about medications to help reduce fever and pain; rest and fluids are also helpful. Most people will feel better in about a week.
What can people do to keep from getting Zika?
There is no vaccine to prevent Zika. In areas where Zika is present, everyone, including pregnant women and women of childbearing age, should protect themselves from mosquito bites.
• Mosquito repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus should be applied to exposed skin and clothing.
• Using insect repellent is safe and effective. Pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding can and should choose an EPA-registered insect repellent and use it according to the product label.
• When weather permits, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
• Use air conditioning or window/door screens to keep mosquitoes outside. If you are not able to protect yourself from mosquitoes inside your home or hotel, sleep under a mosquito bed net.
What can people do to help prevent Zika from becoming established in California?
• If you are sick with fever and joint pain after returning from an area where Zika occurs, contact your healthcare provider and avoid mosquito bites to help prevent possible spread of the virus.
• To reduce mosquito breeding, check your yard often for water-filled containers. Clean and scrub bird baths and pet-watering dishes weekly and dump the water from overflow dishes under potted plants and flower pots. Check that gutters are not holding water.
• Contact your local vector control agency if you detect unusual numbers of mosquitoes or you are being bitten during the day.