Zika virus detected in Thailand vacationers
A virus that has been known since 1947 is now occupying the CRM Center for Travel Medicine. It has been detected in some travelers returning from Thailand. It is transmitted almost exclusively through the bites of diurnal mosquitoes. Rarely, but also possible: through sexual contact. This virus was first found in Uganda in 1947. Since then, it has spread to various tropical and subtropical regions. According to CRM, it is mainly transmitted by the mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The institute explains that between May and June 2022, a total of five travelers returning from vacation in Thailand sought medical treatment due to symptoms. These are said to have exhibited typical characteristics and, with one exception, high fever is said to have occurred. CRM points out, however, that Zika virus infections are usually mild and around 80 percent of those affected have no symptoms at all. Therefore, one must generally assume that a very high number of unreported cases is. However, young children and pregnant women are at risk because brain development can be impaired by the virus. There is currently no vaccine against Zika, so the only protection is to avoid being bitten by the mosquitoes that transmit the virus. This also applies to other diseases that can be transmitted by insects.