Context:
Karnataka steps up surveillance after detection of Zika virus.
About Zika Virus:
- It spreads mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, which bites during the day
- It is the same mosquito that transmits dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever.
- The virus can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus and can cause infants to be born with microcephaly (birth defect where a baby’s head is smaller than expected), congenital malformations, etc.
- It can also be sexually transmitted as well.
- Presently, there is no specific treatment or vaccine.
Click here to read about Dengue
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. In tropical regions, Zika virus disease is transmitted by the same mosquito that transmits dengue.
2. Sexual transmission of Zika virus disease is possible.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)
