A REPORT ABOUT ZIKA VIRUS IN BRAZIL

Abstract

Zika virus, a Flavivirus first isolated in Africa, has spread to many countries worldwide including Brazil. In this country, seven months after the World Football Cup, the occurrence of an epidemic was recorded, subsequently associated to cases of microcephaly and Guillain-Barre syndrome. The virus is transmitted by mosquitoes of the Aedes genus, often following a bite from an infected vector. The febrile disease is self-limited and there is no specific treatment. Few months after this outbreak in Brazil, the authorities acknowledged the association between the Zika virus and the occurrence of Guillain-Barre syndrome and microcephaly in newborns, corresponding to fetal cerebral malformation or brain lesions. This finding is a worldwide alert for the strengthening of preventive measures, restricted to preventing insect bites and caring for the environment.