ZIKA VIRUS: A GLOBAL HEALTH CHALLENGE FOR POLICY MAKERS
Dr. Vivek Hada, Neha Kumari, Dr. Anand Kumar Maurya, Dr. Kumar Saurabh, Mamta Kumari and Dr. Dewesh Kumar*
ABSTRACT
Zika virus (ZIKV), a flavivirus first identified in Uganda in 1947, has emerged as a significant global health concern. Although generally presenting with mild symptoms, its association with severe neurological conditions such as microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) has raised alarms worldwide. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared ZIKV a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), underscoring the urgency of coordinated action. This paper outlines the virology, epidemiological history, clinical features, transmission mechanisms, diagnostic methods, complications, vaccine development efforts, and policy-level implications. A multifaceted public health strategy focused on vector control, robust diagnostics, vaccine development, and risk communication is crucial to mitigating the ongoing and future threats posed by ZIKV.
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