7 Common Facts about Zika Virus That You Need to Know

So what is Zika Virus?

Zika virus belongs to the Flaviviridae family of viruses and was first discovered in the 1940s. It is transmitted to humans by the infected Aedes mosquitoes. Zika outbreaks were infrequent and seemed to be harmless until last year when it swept across the Brazilian states affecting more than 1 million people. The virus is now reported to have spread to more than 20 countries and the number is expected to go even higher.

What are the Symptoms?

The symptoms may include headache, red eyes and skin rashes accompanied by a mild fever that can last from 2 days to a week. Most people don’t develop symptoms and roughly any information is available on the severe cases requiring hospitalization. But in some rare instances, the virus can cause a neurological condition called Guillain-Barre syndrome that could be infectious.

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