Title:Challenges with Mosquito-borne Viral Diseases: Outbreak of the Monsters
Volume: 17
Issue: 19
Author(s): Renu Gautam, Sweta Mishra, Archana Milhotra, Ritika Nagpal, Mradul Mohan, Anchal Singhal and Pratibha Kumari*
Affiliation:
- Department of Chemistry, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110019,India
Keywords:
Mosquito-borne diseases, Viral diseases, Zika, Dengue, Chikungunya, Vaccine.
Abstract: Background: The viruses responsible for mosquito-borne diseases are on an exploring mode,
expanding their horizon, adapting to the situation and comfortably making their presence felt globally,
from South Africa to Asia, Europe and United States. The current global scenario and recent documentations
indicate towards the real monsters, outbreak of Zika, dengue and chikungunya viruses. Zika, dengue
and chikungunya viruses are positive sense single-stranded RNA arbovirus and so their initial symptoms
are almost 80% similar and all three are spread by mosquitos which bite during the day. Zika virus
may damage brain by targeting the neuron cells in babies, and thereby it is very perilous to pregnant
women.
Dangerous Type: A less common but highly dangerous type of dengue is one which causes haemorrhagic
fever and shock syndrome which are lethal. Chikungunya is not as lethal as Zika and dengue are,
but it triggers joints pain which could last for months and even for years.
Conclusion: The vaccines against Zika, dengue and chikungunya viruses are at different stages of development.
The challenges associated with the epidemic wave of Zika, dengue and chikungunya viruses
have been explained and the current status of drug/ vaccine development against these viruses has been
reviewed.
