Three reported incidents of Zika virus infected patients in Gujarat should propel our governments and health professionals to sit up and take notice. Though the cases were detected by the turn of the last year, they were made public a couple of days ago by the concerned authorities. The country has already borne the brunt of Chikungunya and Dengue over a period; it cannot afford to reel from the spate of another arbovirus infection spread through the Aedes mosquito. The fact that Zika can mimic Dengue to a large extent in its symptoms like low grade fever coupled with joint and muscle pain can be deceptive. The distinguishing factors like presence of conjunctivitis and absence of bleeding tendencies in Zika infections are clues; but the almost similar incubation periods in Zika and Dengue can make things dicey.
Therefore, family doctors cannot be in the dark about the possibilities of Zika. A high index of suspicion is a must. The fact that Zika is known to transmit sexually makes it a dangerous disease because an infected woman may transmit the virus to her child. Among the 47 countries where Zika cases are reported, 10 have documented incidents of sexual transmission of the virus. Deformed babies with conditions like “microcephaly” (small head disproportionate to the body) have been reported. Routine body fluid tests should be undertaken straightaway to rule out Zika when doctors doubt something amiss. Bed rest and symptomatic treatment can do the trick though there has been no anti-viral drug available to counter Zika.
However, Queensland University Technology (QUT) study in Australia has indicated that a breakthrough maybe in sight through development of a plant extract to prevent Zika from replicating in the body. Eliminating mosquito breeding sites, proper spraying of insecticides, protection to the body by wearing light clothes in the day as mosquitoes are attracted to dark wears, raising awareness among the people especially school children, educating the parents and school teachers, boosting research on the virus and gearing up our laboratories so that they are not found wanting in exigencies — are some steps the government may initiate to prevent Zika outbreak in India.
