ZIKA: NATURAL SOLUTION AGAINST THE ZIKA VIRUS

TRANSMISSION MODE

During the first week of infection, the Zika virus is present in the blood. Mosquitoes can contract the virus when they bite infected people; mosquitoes can then transmit the virus to others through bites. Travellers from areas with persistent Zika virus transmission may carry the Zika virus in their blood when returning home and if vector mosquitoes are present locally, local transmission of the Zika virus is possible. However, since contact between Aedes mosquitoes and humans is infrequent in most of the continental United States and Hawaii (thanks to mosquito control and the fact that the population lives and works in monitored environments and air-conditioned), local transmission of the Zika virus is expected to be rare and limited.

Although the Zika virus is primarily transmitted by mosquitoes, other modes of transmission are possible. They understand

Sexual transmission

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• Transmission by blood transfusion
• Transmission by organ or tissue transplant (theoretically)
• Intrauterine transmission from mother to fetus leads to congenital infection
• Transmission from an infected mother to her baby through breast milk

The Zika virus is present in semen and can be passed from men to their sexual partners during sexual intercourse, vaginally, through anal sex and possibly oral sex (fellatio) even when men do not show symptoms. The Zika virus persists much longer in semen than in blood, vaginal secretions and other bodily secretions.

Transmission via a mosquito bite is the most common mode of contamination. Sexual transmission of the virus is also now proven. “We know that the virus can be found in the semen and be a potential vector of infection, specifies Marie-Claire Paty, vector-borne disease surveillance coordinator at the National Institute for Health Monitoring (InVS). who also has evidence of the possibility of transmission within couples, from male to female, when the male partner has previously travelled to an area where the virus was circulating." Indeed, we have proof that the virus can be found in semen and be a vector of infection. Cases of transmission within couples, from man to woman, when the male partner has previously travelled to an area where the virus was circulating, have been observed. So today, we consider that sexual transmission exists, without a doubt. It remains to determine the share of sexual contamination compared to the classic mode of contamination.

This raises the question of precautionary measures. "The recommendation for a couple whose male partner has stayed in a region at risk is to have protected intercourse throughout the pregnancy." As for couples for whom there is no pregnancy, anyone from a country affected by the Zika virus must protect themselves during sexual intercourse during the six months following their return to the country, whether they present or not the symptoms of the virus (WHO recommendations, July 2018).

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Written and edited by DJIMA Rachidatou on 30/04/2022

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Blood contamination

"This mode of transmission is not proven, but it is possible because the virus has been found in the blood, explains the epidemiologist. It could stay in the blood for 5 to 7 days, or even less". For the time being, the disease only rarely gives symptoms (in 80% it is asymptomatic), the health authorities recommend that people who have travelled to an endemic region postpone their blood donation, i.e. at least 1 month. . Apart from sexual and blood contamination, are there any other known modes of transmission? “We are studying the transmission of the virus via breast milk but for the moment there is no proof or recommendation. We also know that genetic material of the virus is found in saliva, but that does not mean say that it can be transmitted in this way."

The incubation period

The incubation time, i.e. the period between exposure to the virus and the appearance of the first symptoms, is 3 to 12 days. During this period, it is, therefore, necessary to prevent an infected person from being bitten and thus transmitting the virus to other mosquitoes to break the cycle of viral transmission.

SYMPTOMS :

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE INFECTED WITH THE ZIKA VIRUS?

The symptoms are most often mild and flu-like, among these, we can mention:

• Headache,
• stiffness,
• Fatigue
• Rashes.

Zika can also manifest as conjunctivitis or pain behind the eyes, as well as swelling of the hands and/or feet. The fever appears low and transient. "It is difficult, on these symptoms alone, to make a diagnosis, especially when other arboviruses such as dengue fever or chikungunya coexist in the same geographical area", underlines the National Institute for Prevention and Health Education. (Ines). Especially since in most cases, 70 to 80% of cases, this virus does not give rise to any symptoms, which complicates its detection and therefore its containment.

On the other hand, if it infects a pregnant woman, this virus can cause serious brain developmental abnormalities in the fetus.

A recent study published by Chinese and American researchers identified four natural molecules with anti-Zika properties. One of them is already well known, it is curcumin, the main pigment of turmeric. The other three are less known: presenting a certain level of toxicity for humans, they nevertheless seem to show real promise in the fight against the Zika virus and be used in the formulation of new drugs.

The one said to show the highest level of effectiveness is gossypol, a yellow pigment found in cotton plants. Combined with bortezomib, an effective drug against flaviviruses, gossypol had a significant Zika virus inhibiting action. According to this research, gossypol may also prove useful in the treatment of dengue fever. The other molecules are digitonin, found in foxglove, and conessine, a compound from holarrhene (Holarrhena floribunda), a shrub growing in Senegal, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These two molecules would act directly on the host cells of the virus as well as on the stages of reproduction of the virus.

Please reach us at http://wa.me//+22967546677

Written and edited by DJIMA Rachidatou on 30/04/2022

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