Brazilian health authorities have confirmed that there is a connection between zica virus and a type of brain damage in fetuses.
Zica virus, which was medically identified five decades ago from a sick rhesus monkey in Uganda, and fetal brain damage, has never been linked together in the past.
This was until an increase of microcephaly or small brain in Brazil has raised the suspicion of the authorities that the virus has something to do with the outbreak. Children with microcephaly can suffer trouble in development and intellectual functions that damages thinking and muscle coordination.
Tests on a deceased kid with microcephaly have shown that zica has something to do with the brain damage. Also, the virus has been a factor to the deaths of many adults.
Research headed by the authorities shows that it is possible to pass zica virus from the mother to the fetus, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy.
The research is still in its initial stage and needs further investigation to explain the process of transmission and toxicity.
Zica virus, widespread in some parts of Africa, South America, Southeast Asia, and Pacific Islands, has symptoms including high fever, slight headache, muscle pains, rashes, joint ache, fatigue, and red eye (or conjunctivitis). Aedes aegypti mosquito, also known as carrier of dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever viruses, passes on zica virus.
Brazilian health authorities have asked its residents to double up the preventive measures to avoid acquiring zica virus. They have also encouraged the Brazilian government to come up with an emergency program to eradicate the mosquito population.
To prevent contracting the virus, it is advised that one wear long-sleeved clothes, uses mosquito repellants, and sleepsunder mosquito nets.
The Brazilian authorities have sought the help of the US Center of Disease Control to visit and conduct more research to know more about the relation between zica virus and fetal brain damage.
