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Research paper about the Zika virus...

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Casie Harkins Zika Virus An emerging infectious disease is an infection that has recently appeared within a population or when its incidence or geographic range is increasing rapidly or threatens to increase in the future (Zika virus, 2018). Factors contributing to disease emergence are “population growth, migration from rural areas to cities, international air travel, poverty, wars, and destructive ecological changes due to economic development and land use,” (Zika virus, 2018) which change our environment. Zika virus is considered an emerging infectious disease because the incidence rate and the geographic range is increasing at a rapid rate. Zika virus is caused by a virus that is a member of a family of viruses known as Flaviviruses. They are enveloped viruses that contain genome, which consists of non-segmented single-stranded positive-sense RNA (Zika virus, 2018). In order to replicate, all viruses require a helicase; the Zika virus helicase is a motor enzyme that converts energy from nucleoside triphosphate to unwind and separate double-stranded nucleic acids, so then the single-stranded genetic material can be copied (The biology, n.d.). The Zika virus replicates in the cytoplasm of the host and also reproduces in the vectors. The main mode of transmission for the Zika virus is through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito, specifically Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which is indirect transmission. Another main mode of transmission is pregnant women passing the virus to their fetus during pregnancy, which is direct transmission. Lastly, a lesser occurring mode of transmission is sexually between an infected person and their partner, which is direct transmission.

The Zika virus is carried by a vector, which is the aedes mosquito. The portal of exit is when the mosquito is born out of the larvae, it exits the reservoir by flying away from it. The portal of entry is when the mosquito bites a human and passes on the Zika virus through the skin. Molecules that are produced by pathogenic organisms that add to their effectiveness are the E protein, the capsid, and precursor membrane, and the envelope. Each viral particle’s RNA genome is inside a capsid that is surrounded by an envelope. The E protein composes the virion surface and is involved with replication such as host cell binding and membrane fusion. The first step in the microorganism colonizing its host is the mosquito’s saliva, which contains viral particles that are transmitted to the human. Once they are in the body, they enter individual cells in order to replicate to make more viruses. When viral proteins bind to cell receptors, they trick the cells into taking up the viral particle. The natural habitat for the disease-causing organism in cells for the Zika virus is mosquito larvae. These specific mosquitoes lay their eggs in or close to still water, such as water in buckets, bowls, animal dishes, flowerpots, or vases. Symptoms from the Zika virus include “fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis” (Zika virus, 2017). However, most people who contract the virus do not show symptoms, only on in five people get symptoms when infected with the Zika virus. For people who do show symptoms, the symptoms are only mild and start two to seven days after being bitten. A blood or urine test can be used to diagnose the virus, and it is recommended to be checked if you show symptoms, you went to a place that is at risk of Zika, or you have had unprotected sex with a person who went to a place that is at risk of Zika. The affected groups that are at risk of contracting Zika are countries such as Africa, Asia, The Caribbean, Central America, North America, The Pacific Islands, and South America. In

2017, 432 diagnosed cases of the Zika virus were reported in the U.S. and 653 diagnosed cases were reported in other U.S. territories. So far in 2018, 14 diagnosed Zika virus cases were reported in the U.S. and 15 diagnosed cases were reported in other U.S. territories. As of 2017, the mortality rate for the Zika virus is 8.3%. As of today, there is no specific medicine for the Zika virus. However, drinking a lot of fluids, resting, and taking acetaminophen can help lessen the symptoms. The best type of prevention for the Zika virus is avoiding getting bitten by a mosquito, due to there not being a current vaccine for it. Additionally, as to not spread it sexually, wearing a condom and having protected sex can reduce the chance of contracting Zika. The best way to control the microbial growth is mosquito control; mosquito control programs have already been put into place. This program uses an integrated vector management (IVM) approach to control the mosquitos. IVM came up with the best control plan by taking into consideration the biology of a mosquito, their life cycle, and the way the virus is spread by the mosquito. IMV has done several things to control mosquitos, such as carrying out mosquito surveillance, remove places where mosquitoes lay eggs, control larvae and pupae, control adult mosquitos, and monitor the control programs.

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Zika virus. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html

Zika virus. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ccm.edu/departments/molecular-virology-andmicrobiology-emerging-infections-and-biodefence/zika

Zika virus disease – symptoms and treatment. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.medlife.com/blog/zika-virus-disease-symptoms-treatment/

Zika virus: Transmission, symptoms and prevention – quick tip #395 – Grainger industrial supply. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.grainger.com/content/qt-zika-virustransmission-symptoms-and-prevention-395...