Zika Virus --- Science Blog Post

    The Zika Virus is spread by infected Aedes mosquitoes biting the human skin.  The symptoms, such as fever, rash, itchy eyes, and red eyes, last for anywhere between several days to a weeks after being bitten. It is very rare for people to die from this decease.  Actually, many people don't even realize that they have the Zika virus.

    This decease may not necessarily be harmful to you (there is still much research being done), Zika is very dangerous to have during pregnancy.  It can cause several birth defects called microcephaly, as well as other severe fetal brain defects.  Microcephaly is a birth defect where the baby's head is born smaller than it should be.  This could potentially lead to the baby being born with a smaller, undeveloped brain.   

    Zika is becoming a worldwide crisis, and we need to take proper precautions in order to prevent it from spreading.  Right now, Zika is in America, Central America, South America, The Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands.  The first reported case of Zika actually came from Brazil.    

    

For More Information: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/about/