Ek machchar.....

We in India are yet to hear about this new mosquito but apparently, in rest of the world, especially Latin America it is spreading terror. Known as Zika, this mosquito borne virus was first seen in Brazil last year and it is now found in 17 countries across Americas.

Till late last year, Zika was not thought of any threat as only one fifth of the infected people fall ill, that too with mild fever, rashes, joint aches and red eyes. But now there is huge worry – this may not cause too much visible harm but it is said to be the cause of birth defects in children and neurological problems in adults. Travel warning to pregnant women has already been issued – better not travel to countries where Zika is spread.  There is no vaccine or treatment for Zika, a close cousin of dengue and chikungunya, which causes mild fever and rash. An estimated 80 percent of people infected have no symptoms, making it difficult for pregnant women to know whether they have been infected.

The fear is now so high that President Barack Obama on Tuesday called for the rapid development of tests, vaccines and treatments to fight the mosquito-transmitted Zika virus.

As such India is grappling with chikungunya and dengue and we could soon have another new risk – given our sanitation across the country, do not be surprised to see this new mosquito hog all the limelight in the days to come as summer comes calling.