Zika virus prevention: Researchers from Johns Hopkins University have discovered a drug called Kineret that may protect infected foetus from brain damage. Kineret is an anti-inflammatory drug which is used for rheumatoid arthritis treatment.
Highlights
4 out of 5 people infected with Zika virus show no symptoms
Preventing mosquito bites is the bets way to prevent Zika
Zika virus is transmitted to people through bite of infected mosquito
Zika virus is a mosquito-borne viral infection which primarily occurs in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Many people infected by Zika virus exhibit no signs or symptoms. Muscle pain, mild fever, rashes, headache, red eyes and a general feeling of discomfort are by and large zika virus symptoms. Zika virus is transmitted to people through bite of infected Aedes species mosquito. Zika virus outbreaks have been reported in Africa, Asia, America and Pacific.
Zika virus was reported in 2015. At that time, a link between the virus and brain damage in developing foetus was identified. This means that while Zika virus mildly affected the infected patient, the transmission of the virus from an infected mother can severely affect the growing foetus. Zika virus can make the foetus prone to microcephaly, a condition in which the foetus grows with abnormally small head.
there is no treatment for Zika. Recently however, researchers from Johns Hopkins University have discovered a drug called Kineret that may protect infected foetus from brain damage. Kineret is an anti-inflammatory drug which is used for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Read here to know more.
Use mosquito repellents at all times.
- Wear covered clothes. Cover your beds with mosquito repellent nets.
