Zika Virus: A Global Pandemic of Colossal Proportions

Zika virus (ZIKV), is a Flavivirus belonging to the family Flaviviridae. It has been related to a variety of diseases which include, Japanese encephalitis, Dengue fever, West Nile and Yellow fever. ZIKV derives its name from the Zika forest of Uganda, which is believed to be the place of its origin. It is believed to have been discovered in a sentinel monkey for the very first time in the year 1947. The mosquito belonging to the species Aedes, which is responsible for the spread of yellow fever, dengue fever and chikungunya, is also responsible for transmitting the ZIKV. As this mosquito is present throughout the world, the threat of it spreading worldwide is rapidly becoming an alarming reality as increased number of travelers return from Brazil to Asia, Europe, the Americas and to other countries, a worldwide endemic can be anticipated. These countries should raise awareness of the potential for ZIKV to spread especially since this emergent disease is not well known and that some questions on potential reservoirs and transmission modes, clinical presentations and complications remain unanswered. Nevertheless, ZIKV has got the potential to turn into a global pandemic of colossal proportions.