Zika Virus

Zika virus is a dangerous virus that can affect every people in the world and it could also kill people. Also, the Zika virus can be transmitted to people by sexual contact, blood transfusion and primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. (Aegypti and albopictus). These species are the same that spread dengue and chikungunya viruses. These mosquitoes usually lay eggs in and near standing water in things like buckets, bowls, flower pots and vases. These species are aggressive during daytime but they can also bite at nighttime. Mosquitoes become infected when they bite on a person already infected with the virus then the infected mosquitoes can spread the virus through bites.

If a mother is already infected with Zika virus, the virus can be transferred to her fetus during pregnancy and the scientists are studying how Zika affects pregnancies. To this date, there are still no reports of infants getting Zika virus through breastfeeding due to the benefits of it, mothers are encouraged to breastfeed in areas that has Zika virus.