In 2016, Zika virus gained international attention after Brazilian children were born with congenital deformities and neurological disorders secondary to contracting the Zika virus in utero. But the disease is not new; Zika was discovered in the 1940s in Uganda.
The lab of Maudry Laurent-Rolle, MD, PhD, assistant professor (infectious diseases), studies flaviruses, specifically Zika.
We asked Laurent-Rolle some common questions about Zika, a positive-strand RNA flavivirus that replicates quickly within an infected individual.
How is Zika virus spread?
Flaviruses are transmitted by mosquitoes. For example, West Nile is transmitted through mosquitoes that feed on birds. With dengue, yellow fever and Zika, they are usually in this cycle between mosquitoes and monkeys. But one thing about Zika virus that's a bit different from the other flaviviruses, is that the virus can get transmitted through sexual intercourse. For example, it can be transmitted by discordant couples. One partner travels to a country where the virus is endemic, and the other partner stays home. During their travels, they get infected with Zika. When the traveling person returns, they have sexual intercourse and the virus is transmitted to the partner who stayed at home. So it's not via the mosquito, it's not via the normal apropos transmission, but rather through sexual transmission. Zika virus has been detected in semen.
What ailments does Zika cause?
Severe disease and deaths from Zika virus infection are uncommon. Like other flavivirus infections, symptoms are usually mild with fever, rash, conjuctivitis and over time you get better. The issue with Zika is the microcephaly, or the smaller than average head sizes and the neurological disorders that is associated with it, in babies born to mothers that were infected with the virus. This is different than other flaviruses.
How is Zika treated?
There is no specific antiviral treatment. For all of the flaviviruses, we have no drugs. Treatment is only supportive. Take a fever-reducer. Stay hydrated. Rest.
How can research into these viruses improve care?
More research should be done on every front geared towards combating these viruses that are spread not only by respiratory means like SARS-COV-2 and influenza virus, but these arthropod-borne viruses, like Zika, dengue, yellow fever, Eastern Equine Encephalitis and Chikungunya.
Learn more about research from Laurent-Rolle’s lab in “’Coolest Protein’ restricts Zika virus replication.”
The Department of Internal Medicine’s Section of Infectious Diseases engages in comprehensive and innovative patient care, research, and educational activities for a broad range of infectious diseases. Learn more at Infectious Diseases.