Zika Virus and Pregnancy in the Philippines

Recently there are already 9 cases of Zika Virus in the Philippines.  The DOH in Visayas confirmed that a 22-year-old woman in Cebu was diagnosed with Zika.  There are 7 more residents in Iloilo and 1 in Laguna. – CNN

DOH said that all these cases have no history of travel abroad within a month of getting sick.  Six of them are female, the youngest is 9 years old and the oldest is 49.

Zika Virus – is an insect-borne illness transmitted by Aedes mosquitos.  The same one that carries Dengue and yellow fever.

The name Zika came from the place – Zika Forest in Uganda.  It is where the monkeys with virus were first found in 1947.

Dangerous?

Relatively it is mild. Rashes, red eyes, joint pains and fever.

But with pregnant women, the effects can be devastating.  This can cause pregnancy loss or a baby with microcephaly (causing the newborn to have a very small head, birth defects and mental disorders).

While the Zika virus remains in the blood of an infected person for a few days to a week, according to the CDC, there's no current evidence to suggest that it poses a risk of birth defects in future pregnancies. And Zika won't cause infections in a baby that's conceived after the virus has left the bloodstream.

Mode of Transmission:

1. Mosquito bite
2. Woman that had Sex with Man infected with Zika virus
3. Mother to baby
4. Rare case: Blood transfusion (CDC)

It is very important to take not that it is not only from mosquito bite like Dengue, it is also sexually transmitted.  So, if pregnant women protects themselves from bites using anti-repellants, their partners should also use anti-repellants.

How to Reduce the Risk of Transmission and Infection:

1. Be cautious when having sex with a partner who travelled to region affected by Zika.
2. There is no vaccine for Zika.
3. Delay travel to regions that have a lot of Zika virus cases.
4. Wear shirts with long sleeves and pants.
5. Use insect repellant that is safe for pregnant.
6. Protect your family and partners too. Since Zika virus could be transmitted not only through insect bite but also through sexual transmission.

Countries with Zika Travel Notices: from CDC

The list changes often.  See the updated list here:

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zika-information

In the Philippines, DOH issued a travel warning to pregnant women not to travel to Iloilo because of an ongoing local transmission in the city according to the advisory of Department of Health Western Visayas Directory, Dr. Marlyn Convocar.

The Department of Health earlier issued a statement to those who are planning pregnancy to delay their plans on having a baby.  But to those who are like me, already pregnant.

Please be careful.  Always protect yourselves and your family.

- Doc Pinky

Sources:

CNN Philippines
CDC
DOH