Which of the following is not true about Zika Disease?

ISRO- 2016

Community Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: ISRO- 2016

Explanation

The statement is incorrect because Zika disease is caused by the Zika virus, a member of the Flavivirus genus, not by bacteria.
The primary modes of transmission are through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes and sexual contact, not through contaminated food or water as the term 'contamination' often implies in public health.
Caused by bacteria and spreads by contamination matches the defining clue or classification criterion in the stem.
Supporting mechanism: The option aligns with the governing rule, pattern, sequence, classification, or exam logic being tested.
Key differentiator: It fits the one fact that separates the correct response from the closest distractor.

Option A: This statement is factually true. Zika virus infection during pregnancy is a well-documented cause of microcephaly and other severe brain defects in newborns, collectively known as Congenital Zika Syndrome.
Option B: This statement is factually true. Zika is caused by a virus (a Flavivirus), and in addition to mosquito-borne transmission, it can be spread through sexual contact from an infected person to their partners.
Option D: This statement is factually true. The primary vectors for transmitting the Zika virus are mosquitoes of the Aedes genus, mainly Aedes aegypti.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Zika Disease Transmission and Effects helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses are vital in educating the public, especially pregnant women and couples planning pregnancy, about the risks associated with Zika virus. This includes counseling on travel to endemic areas, methods to prevent mosquito bites (e.g., using repellents, wearing protective clothing), and safe sex practices.
A key nursing responsibility is to recognize the symptoms of Zika (fever, rash, joint pain) in patients with a relevant travel history and to ensure they are tested and managed appropriately, while also considering other differential diagnoses like Dengue and Chikungunya.
What if? If a pregnant patient reports symptoms of Zika but has no travel history to an endemic area, the nurse must inquire about the travel history of her sexual partner, as sexual transmission is a significant route of infection.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify that the question uses a negative qualifier ('not true'). This means you are looking for the single false statement among the options.
Read and evaluate each option based on your knowledge of Zika disease.
Option A: Recall the major public health concern about Zika – its link to microcephaly in newborns. This is a well-known fact, so this statement is likely true.
Option B: Remember that Zika is a viral illness. Also, recall that sexual transmission is a confirmed route. This statement is likely true.
Option C: Analyze the core claims: 'caused by bacteria' and 'spreads by contamination'. Zika is a famous viral disease, so the 'bacteria' part is incorrect. This makes the entire statement false.
Option D: The primary mode of transmission for Zika is through mosquito bites. This is a fundamental fact about the disease, making the statement true.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Pathology- ROBBINS & COTRAN PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 10TH Ed p. 359-361

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 2071-2073

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart B (pp 202-403 of 604) p. 137-139