Human infection with the mosquito borne Zika virus (ZIKV) has been reported in areas of Africa, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands and more recently, in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Indonesia has not reported a human case of ZIKV until now. In a post on the infectious disease website, ProMed Mail today, the Chairman of the Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology in
Jakarta, Indonesia reported the molecular identification of the virus for the first time.

Image/CIA
Image/CIA

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a flavivirus related to yellow fever, dengue, West Nile, and Japanese encephalitis viruses; however, ZIKV produces a comparatively mild disease in humans. It was first isolated from an infected rhesus monkey in the Zika Forest of Uganda in 1947.

The virus is transmitted to humans via mosquitoes of the genus Aedes.

Information regarding pathogenesis of ZIKV is scarce but mosquito-borne flaviviruses are thought to replicate initially in dendritic cells near the site of inoculation then spread to lymph nodes and the bloodstream.

Symptoms may include a headache, a maculopapular rash covering the face, neck, trunk, and upper arms,which may spread to the palms and soles. Transient fever, malaise, and back pain may also develop.

There is currently no vaccine or medicine to prevent Zika fever. Travelers can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites.

Robert Herriman is a microbiologist and the Editor-in-Chief of Outbreak News Today and the Executive Editor of The Global Dispatch

Follow @bactiman63

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