What you need to know About Zika Fever.

"Nature is a number game. We need all the support we can get as our immune systems and health are under assault from pollution, stress, contaminated food, and age-related disease as our lifespans increase." - Paul Stamets.

Incredibly, just one mosquito species, Aedes aegypti is responsible for the spread of four known different deadly viral diseases to human beings, yet this mosquito has been allowed to infest densely-populated urban centers. One may be wondering what this Zika fever is, maybe he/she hasn't heard? We'll have the breakdown of this deadly virus together.

Zika is a virus that spreads through the bite of certain types of mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti). A pregnant woman with such illness in her system is never encouraging as she can pass Zika to her unborn child. Zika infection can cause congenital disabilities and developmental delays. Zika can also be passed through sex and blood transfusions.

Symptoms of this virus are generally mild, with fever rash and joint pain present. And can start to manifest 2 to 7 days after being bitten by such species of mosquito. A blood test can tell whether you have the infection. There're no vaccines or medicines to treat it. Drinking lots of fluids, resting, and taking acetaminophen might help.

Outbreaks of Zika virus disease have been recorded in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Pacific islands, parts of the Carribean, and central and South America. From the 1960s to 1980s, rare sporadic cases of human infections were found across Africa and Asia, typically accompanied by mild illness.

But now it seems that one of the most discussed health issues as of 2016 has disappeared. We don't hear much about Zika anymore at the moment; what is happening? Is Zika gone or it's just not being discussed anymore? Of course, Zika infection hasn't gone, right now a study has shown that the continental U.S, including Florida, Texas, as areas with no known risk of Zika infection.

Currently, measures have been taken, and the Zika infections are minimal. The situation is improving in Puerto Rico as well. In 2017, the island reported 619 cases of Zika picked up from local mosquitoes; so far in 2018, that number is just 72 according to report.

Although Zika is minimal in some areas, it remains a critical threat in many parts of the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) and CDC are still emphasizing on Zika and urging people – especially pregnant women – to be very careful about traveling to countries where locally acquired infections have been reported.

Is there any way I can prevent myself?

Yes, there is. First one should avoid traveling to countries where it Zika infections exist. Wear insect repellent that has been registered with the Environmental Protection Agency. People living in or near the affected region should practice integrated pest management around their homes. Keeping our environment healthy is essential to bring it down to possible minimal!