Rising Concern Regarding Pregnant Women and Zika Virus.

The virus is spread directly through the bite of an infected mosquito or it is sexually transmitted from an infected male. Zika virus was first discovered in Uganda in 1947. The first case of the virus infecting a human was reported in 1952. Many cases of the virus have since been documented, but far more have been unrecognized due to Zika’s asymptomatic nature. Since 2015, there has been a rise in Zika infection in Brazil and Central America. As Zika virus spreads, birth defects and conditions such as Guillain–Barre syndrome have noticeably increased in frequency in the corresponding regions. The biggest cause for concern with Zika virus is in regard to pregnant women. Contracting Zika virus during pregnancy can cause birth defects such as microcephaly, a condition characterized by decreased head and brain size and frequently causes developmental delays. Zika virus and the possible travesties it harbors are rapidly becoming a prominent worry in the minds of pregnant women all across the globe. Due to the increase in concern across the globe and the lack of reliable diagnostic methods, the World Health Organization officially designated Zika virus a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on February 1, 2016. The symptoms of Zika virus are mild and often not conspicuously present. That being said, those who do showcase symptoms commonly experience fever, rashes, joint and muscle pain, headaches, and conjunctivitis. These symptoms are only present for a few days and are strikingly similar to those of other mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue fever. These similarities are creating massive challenges as scientists are trying to diagnose, treat, and contain the virus.