Zika virus
Zika Virus
The Zika virus (/ziːkə/ ZEE-kə) is a member of the virus family Flaviviridae and the genus Flavivirus. It is spread by daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes, such as A. aegypti and A. albopictus. Its name comes from the Zika Forest of Uganda, where the virus was first isolated in 1947.
Etymology
The term "Zika" is derived from the Zika Forest in Uganda, where the virus was first identified in a rhesus monkey in 1947. The word "virus" is from the Latin virus referring to poison and other noxious substances.
Pronunciation
The word "Zika" is pronounced as "Zee-ka".
Related Terms
- Flavivirus: A genus of viruses in the family Flaviviridae. This genus includes the West Nile virus, dengue virus, and yellow fever virus.
- Aedes: A genus of mosquitoes originally found in tropical and subtropical zones, but now found on all continents excluding Antarctica. Some species have been spread by human activity. Aedes albopictus, a most invasive species, was recently spread to the New World, including the USA, by the used-tire trade.
- Microcephaly: A medical condition in which the brain does not develop properly resulting in a smaller than normal head. Microcephaly may be present at birth or it may develop in the first few years of life. It is most often caused by genetic abnormalities that interfere with the growth of the cerebral cortex during the early months of fetal development. It is associated with Zika virus infection.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Zika virus
- Wikipedia's article - Zika virus
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