WHO's warning: Zika virus may spread across Asia

The Dhaka Times Desk The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the mosquito-borne Zika virus could spread throughout Asia.

There have already been reports of Zika virus infection in hundreds of people in Singapore. There have been two cases of babies born with malnourished heads due to Zika infection in Thailand.

According to a BBC report on Monday, confirmed information about Zika virus infection has been found in 70 countries around the world. These include 19 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
At the World Health Organization's annual meeting in Manila, Philippines, the organization's director-general, Margaret Chan, said scientists are still looking for ways to contain the virus.

The most unfortunate thing is that they still do not know the answers to many complex questions.
Although the Zika virus is not life-threatening, it can have serious consequences for pregnant women. Her baby may be born with a malnourished brain or a major defect.

# Zika virus was first identified in Uganda in 1947. Deaths from this virus are not usually seen. However, its symptoms are not always obvious.

# symptoms are: one in five patients have a mild fever, red or sore eyes, headache or joint pain, and sometimes a skin rash.

Individuals with # may also suffer from Guillain-Barré syndrome in rare cases; Due to which events like temporary paralysis or 'nervous system disorder' can also occur.

# A pregnant mother infected with this mosquito-borne disease may have a smaller-than-normal head and brain structure in her unborn baby. This disease is called microcephaly.

The # virus has no vaccine or drug yet. In most cases, the affected person is advised to rest and drink more fluids.

# Zika virus is not contagious at all. However, a few cases of sexually transmitted Zika infection have been reported in the United States and France.