Which vector cause Zika virus disease?

Appeared in: NORCET 2 -2021 (Shift-2)

Explanation

The Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging pathogen transmitted to humans primarily by Aedes mosquitoes.
The main vectors are Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which are also responsible for spreading dengue and chikungunya.
These mosquitoes are typically daytime biters and breed in artificial collections of water near human dwellings.
Transmission can also occur through sexual contact, blood transfusion, and from mother to fetus during pregnancy, leading to severe birth defects like microcephaly.

Option A: Ticks are arachnids, not insects, and are known vectors for bacterial and viral diseases, but not the Zika virus.
Option B: Sandflies are vectors for protozoan parasites and some viruses, but they do not transmit the Zika virus.
Option C: Culex mosquitoes are a different genus from Aedes and are vectors for a different set of arboviruses and parasites.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Vector of Zika Virus Disease helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses play a crucial role in patient education regarding the prevention of vector-borne diseases, including advising on personal protective measures and environmental control.
A key nursing responsibility is counseling pregnant women or those planning to conceive about the risks of Zika virus infection and advising them to avoid travel to endemic areas.
Patient assessment should include a thorough travel history for individuals presenting with fever, rash, and arthralgia to identify potential exposure to vector-borne illnesses like Zika.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question, which is asking for the specific vector that transmits Zika virus disease.
This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of communicable diseases and their transmission routes.
Systematically review the options provided: Ticks, Sandfly, Culex, and Aedes.
Recall or deduce the primary diseases associated with each vector. Aedes is famously linked to Zika, Dengue, and Chikungunya.
Eliminate the other options by recalling the diseases they transmit (e.g., Culex with Japanese Encephalitis, Ticks with Lyme disease).
Confirm your choice. Aedes mosquitoes are the well-established vectors for the Zika virus.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart B (pp 233-449 of 464) p. 87-89

Practise the full NORCET 2 -2021 (Shift-2)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.