Over half a century ago, the Zika virus was first detected in Africa.
Its vectors are mosquitoes of the genus Aedes, which are distinguished by striking black and white stripes on the bodies and legs; uncharacteristically, they are diurnal and feed only during daytime hours. The Zika virus is not the only disease that is spread by Aedes mosquitoes - Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are responsible for transmitting viruses that bring about dengue fever, yellow fever and West Nile fever together with many other diseases. These pathogens are viral and cannot be easily vaccinated against. The biology is also quite different to the spread of malaria, which is caused by a protozoan (single-celled animal) parasite. The one thing they have in common, however, is the mosquito vector, which in turn is an Achilles heel for the microbes.
In man, the Zika virus causes an illness known as Zika fever, which has been reported from a narrow equatorial region spanning Africa and Asia. In 2015, the virus was first recorded from South and Central America, having made its way across the Pacific. Symptoms are similar to those of dengue fever, though less virulent. There is a link to microcephaly in foetuses born to infected mothers.
But, back to the mosquito.
This story is from the Issue 107 - October/November 2016 edition of The African Hunter.
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This story is from the Issue 107 - October/November 2016 edition of The African Hunter.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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