Zika virus cases reported in Kerala:

Thirteen health personnel, including doctors, are suspected of being Zika positive out of the 19 samples supplied from Thiruvananthapuram.

On Thursday, the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala reported a total of 13 Zika virus infections. According to a Hindustan Times storey, the samples were transferred to the National Institute of Virology in Pune.

The first case of Zika virus infection occurred in a 24-year-old pregnant woman from Parassala who was being treated at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. The woman was sent to the hospital on June 28 with a fever, headache, and red patches.

What exactly is the Zika virus?

Zika is transmitted mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus). Mosquitoes bite at all hours of the day and night.

Dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever are all spread by Aedes mosquitos. The virus can be transferred from a pregnant woman to her foetus, resulting in microcephaly and other congenital defects in newborns.

It has also been linked to other pregnancy issues such as preterm birth and miscarriage. Individuals infected with the Zika virus can potentially spread the disease to their sexual partners, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Symptoms

Infection with the Zika virus can cause a variety of symptoms.

Fever, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint discomfort, malaise, or headache are some of the mild symptoms of the mosquito-borne disease. The incubation time for Zika virus infection is believed to be 3–14 days, with symptoms lasting 2–7 days on average. According to the World Health Organization, the majority of people infected with the Zika virus do not show symptoms (WHO).

Treatment for Zika virus

The Zika virus has no specific therapy or vaccine, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Treat the signs and symptoms.

Make sure you get enough sleep.

To avoid dehydration, drink plenty of water.

Take anti-fever and anti-pain medication.

To limit the risk of bleeding, avoid aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDS) until dengue fever has been ruled out.

Before taking any additional medication, see your healthcare professional if you are currently taking medication for another medical condition.