Question

1. What is the difference between locally-acquired and travel-related transmission of a disease? Which state(s) or territories in the U.S. have shown locally-acquired transmission?

2.What types of genetic mechanisms/changes could the Zika virus have experienced as it moved through the human population over the course of several decades? How might these impact how the disease manifests in humans (think evolution)?

3. What are five distinct ways that Zika can be transmitted? For each of the five ways, describe at least one strategy that can be used to prevent transmission?

Answer 1

1) In locally acquired transmission of a disease, a healthy person acquires the disease from the local infected persons already living in the same area in which the healthy person lives.

In travel related transmission of a disease, a healthy person acquires the disease while travelling outside his native area.

Recently, Florida state (specially Miami County) of USA have shown the locally acquired transmission of Zika virus.

2) As the Zika virus moved through the human population over the course of several decades, it has experienced the significant genetic changes. Zika virus has a single stranded RNA. In the course of several decades while passing through the human bodies, it has undergone the changes in the sequences of nucleotides and proteins. This has been seen during its RNA studies. It has also shown significant changes in its virulence.

Clinical manifestations of Zika virus in humans :- It causes Zika fever in humans which has similar signs and symptoms as that of Dengue fever. Clinical features includes fever, rashes, headache, joint pain, nausea, vomiting, redness of eyes, etc. It can infect pregnant women and cause birth related defects like microcephaly, and other brain abnormalities in newborns.

3) The different ways of transmission of Zika virus and strategies to prevent it are:-

a) Through the bites of aedes mosquitoes : This can be prevented by applying some mosquito control measures.

b) Through a blood transfusion with infected blood : This can be prevented by proper screening of blood before the blood transfusion.

c) Through sexual intercourse with the infected person : This can be prevented by using condom during sexual intercourse.

d) Perinatal transmission ( mother to baby during pregnancy) : This can be prevented by screening and counseling of mothers.

e) Through the laboratory exposure in a healthcare services : This can be prevented by using precautionary measures while doing tests related to Zika virus.