zika 寨卡病毒介绍

name：Zika Virus（ZIKV）

structure：

The virion is approximately 40 nm in diameter

with surface projections that measure roughly 5-10 nm.

Nucleocapsid is 25-30 nm in diameter surrounded by a host-membrane derived lipid bilayer.

Enveloped

Icosahedral

Contains envelope proteins E and M

Target organism: humans, developing children

Mode of infection: Mosquito, Sexual, Pregnancy and Blood transfusion

Symptoms of Zika Virus:

These symptoms are mild and usually last for 2-7 days.

Headache

Fever

Skin rashes (exanthema)

Pink eye

Conjunctivitis

Muscle and joint pain

Malaise

Symptoms for babies:

Microcephaly along with an intellectual disability, poor motor function, poor speech, abnormal facial features, seizures, dwarfism

The life cycle of ZIKV:

similar to other known flaviviruses.

Briefly, the E proteins are involved in the attachment of the virus to receptors on the host membrane. Subsequently, the virus gets internalised via endocytosis. The viral RNA is then released into the cytoplasm following fusion of the viral and host membranes. The ssRNA is then translated, and the resulting polyprotein further gets cleaved into various structural and non-structural proteins (C, prM, E and NS proteins) .

Replication takes place on the ER surface. Transcription and replication of the dsDNA result in the formation of new viral mRNA and ssRNA, respectively. Following viral assembly at the ER, the virion budding utilises the host ESCRT (endosomal sorting complexes required for transport) machinery to transport to the Golgi apparatus. The prM protein is cleaved, and the virion is rendered mature. Finally, the mature virus exits the cell via exocytosis

Prevention and Control of Zika Virus:

Avoid travel to areas with an active infestation.

Travelers should take the basic precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites. During outbreaks, health authorities may advise that spraying of insecticides be carried out. Reducing mosquito populations and avoiding bites, which occur mainly during the day. Eliminating and controlling Aedes aegypti mosquito breeding sites reduces the chances that Zika will be transmitted.

Actions taken when there is an outbreak：

isolation no medial treatments since Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is usually mild and self-limited. There are no specific treatment options for Zika virus infection.

For babies，sadly no treatment，suffer for the whole life

the vaccine is still developing As of March 2016, 18 companies and institutions internationally were developing vaccines against Zika but a vaccine was unlikely to be widely available for

about ten years. In June 2016 the FDA granted the first approval for a human clinical trial for a Zika vaccine. (也就是说今年才开始被关注，疫苗才开始进⾏行研究)

Conclusion:

Considering the global emergence and pathogenic nature of ZIKV, further studies are needed to identify the underlying mechanisms and mode of action of this virus. This will help identify antiviral targets and devise therapies, to fight this globally expanding menace.