Now is the time for the Zika virus (original) (raw)

The Zika virus (ZIKV), first identified in the Zika forest of Uganda in 1947, has evolved from a minor concern to a significant public health issue, especially in the Americas. ZIKV transmission occurs primarily through Aedes mosquitoes and can also be sexually transmitted. Its clinical manifestations resemble those of dengue and chikungunya, although it does not generally cause severe outcomes like hemorrhagic disorders. With changing climatic conditions facilitating the spread of ZIKV, the Colombian government is urged to implement contingency measures to mitigate morbidity and prevent upcoming health crises.