Feb 2016, WHO has declared the Zika virus a global public health emergency.  What you should know?
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Zika virus is a member of the Flavivirus genus which also includes viruses that cause dengue fever, yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis. The name Zika came from the Zika forest of Uganda, where the virus was first isolated in 1947.

Transmission

The virus is mainly spread through daytime active Aedes mosquitoes, but can also be transmitted by blood transfusion, via sexual contact, and from an infected mother to the fetus during pregnancy.

Zika Fever – Symptoms 

Infection with Zika virus is known as Zika fever. Most infected people, however, do not develop any symptoms. In those who do, the symptoms are usually mild and may include: fever, rash, conjunctivitis, joint pain and headache. The disease commonly clears up on its own after a week and does not require any treatment other than rest.

So why the big fuss?

Originally considered a mild disease, Zika fever has been getting a lot of attention lately due to reported connection between the virus and incidents of microcephaly in infants born from infected mothers.

Microcephaly is a serious birth defect where the brain of the newborn is underdeveloped and so smaller than usual. Depending on the extent of the defect, microcephaly may result in a number of neurological disorders, including: seizures, developmental delay, intellectual disabilities, vision and hearing loss. The problems are usually life-long and may also be life-threatening.

Several studies newly published in May 2016 showed that Zika virus in infected pregnant mice can cross the placenta to the fetuses, where it destroys neural progenitor cells. Because neural progenitors cells are fast-replicating and give rise to a large number of brain cells, even a small loss of these cells would result in missing parts of the brain.

The number of infants born with microcephaly has surged 20 folds in the affected areas of the Brazil outbreak, which started in May 2015. While the link between Zika and microcephaly has not been fully proven, the evidence has become overwhelming.

Infection in adults has also been linked to Guillain–Barré Syndrome, a rare condition characterized by a rapid onset of muscle weakness.

Where is ZIKA now?

Since the start of its outbreak in Brazil, Zika has spread rapidly to other surrounding countries. The World Health Organization warned that the virus is likely to spread to nearly all countries of the Americas, except perhaps Canada and continental Chile, where it is too cold for Aedes mosquitoes to survive. Large outbreaks may also be expected in Asia.

More than a hundred of pregnant women in the US has been tested positive for Zika (May 2016)

The Asian strain that causes Brazil outbreak is now found in Africa

Prevention

There is currently no vaccine for Zika; the best way to prevent the disease is to avoid mosquitoes. Pregnant women are advised not to travel to affected areas and women living in affected countries to delay getting pregnant.