A REPORT ABOUT ZIKA VIRUS IN BRAZIL

Rosangela Cipriano

doi:10.17058/reci.v6i1.6959

Abstract

Zika virus, a Flavivirus first isolated in Africa, has spread to many countries around the world including Brazil. In this country, seven months after the football world cup, it was registered the occurrence of a epidemic, subsequently related to cases of microcephaly and Guillain-Barre syndrome. The virus is transmited via mosquito from Aedes genus, often following the bite from an infected vector. The febrile disease is self-limited, and there is no specific treatment. Few months after this outbreak in Brazil, the authorities recognized the relationship between the Zika virus and the occurrence of Guillain Barre syndrome and microcephaly in newborns, correponding to fetal cerebral malformation or brain lesions. This finding is being a worldwide alert for strengthening the preventive measures, restricted to prevent insect bites and care for the environment.

Highlights

In the past three years, several emergent diseases - including vector-transmitted diseases, such as arboviruses - were noticed as increasing around the world, especially because of climate changes as well as globalization of travel and trade
These diseases include those caused by the Flaviviridae Family, which comprises over 70 different members and includes the Dengue virus, the Japanese Encephalitis virus and the Yellow Fever virus.[1,2,3]
At that time, Zika virus was not described as a particular problem in Brazil

Summary

Introduction

In the past three years, several emergent diseases - including vector-transmitted diseases, such as arboviruses - were noticed as increasing around the world, especially because of climate changes as well as globalization of travel and trade. It is considered widespread.[4] In December 2013, there was a Zika virus outbreak in the French Polynesia and the New Caledonia, when 396 laboratory-confirmed cases occurred and an estimated 29,000 people sought medical care for suspected Zika illness.

Results

Conclusion