Zika Virus: Emergence of an Old Known

Abstract

Zika virus was first discovered in Uganda seventy years ago
and the first human infection was reported in Nigeria in 1952.
The virus has been responsible for sporadic infection cases
in Africa and Asia. In 2007, for the first time since its discovery,
Zika virus was responsible for infecting about three
quarters of the population from a pacific island, where a benign
and self-limited clinical course was verified. Six years
later, an unprecedented epidemic occurred in French Polynesia,
between 2013 and 2014. For the first time there were
descriptions of Guillain-Barré syndrome as a complication
associated with the infection. Zika virus is estimated to have
been introduced in Brazil at this time. By the end of 2015, a rising
number of cases of microcephaly and other fetal malformations
reported in this country seem to be possibly related
to the Zika epidemic, a fact with growing evidence.
At the moment, autochthonous transmission is known to
occur in more than seventy countries by way of vectorial
transmission through Aedes mosquitos. Sexual transmission
has been reported in several countries with imported
cases. However, its real impact in the current pandemic is
not known, as it is difficult to determine the transmission in
countries where vectorial transmission occurs.
Current strategies in prevention of the infection and its dissemination
include vector control and individual protective
measures.