Which vector causes Zika virus disease?

NORCET 2 -2021 (Shift-2)

Applied Microbiology & Infection control

Easy

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

Explanation

The primary vector for the Zika virus is the Aedes mosquito, specifically the species Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.
These mosquitoes are known as 'tiger mosquitoes' due to their distinct black and white markings.
Aedes mosquitoes are also responsible for transmitting other arboviral diseases, including dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever.
They are typically day-biting insects, preferring to feed in the early morning and late afternoon, and breed in clean, stagnant water near human habitats.

Option A: Ticks are arachnids that transmit a different set of pathogens. They are not vectors for the Zika virus.
Option B: Sand flies are known vectors for Leishmaniasis and some sandfly fevers, but they do not transmit the Zika virus.
Option C: While Culex mosquitoes are vectors for several important diseases, they are not the primary transmitters of the Zika virus.

Visual 1: Infographic - A side-by-side comparison of Aedes, Culex, and Anopheles mosquitoes, highlighting their distinct resting postures, body markings, and breeding sites.
Visual 2: Diagram - A chart showing the different vectors (Aedes, Culex, Ticks, Sandfly) and listing the major diseases each one transmits.
Visual 3: Image - A close-up photograph of an Aedes aegypti mosquito, clearly showing the characteristic white stripes on its legs and body.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Vector-borne diseases and their specific vectors helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses play a vital role in educating patients and communities about preventing mosquito-borne illnesses. This includes advising on the use of insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, and eliminating standing water to reduce mosquito breeding sites.
For Zika, counseling is especially critical for pregnant women or those planning pregnancy due to the risk of congenital Zika syndrome, which can cause severe birth defects like microcephaly.
What if? If a patient presents with fever, rash, and joint pain after traveling to a tropical region, the nurse should have a high index of suspicion for arboviral diseases like Dengue, Chikungunya, or Zika and inquire about mosquito exposure.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'vector' and 'Zika virus disease'. This is a factual recall question about medical entomology.
Recall or look up the specific vector associated with the Zika virus.
Systematically evaluate each option. Think about the common diseases transmitted by each vector.
Eliminate 'Ticks' and 'Sand fly' as they are associated with different, well-known diseases (Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis, respectively).
Differentiate between the mosquito genera. Recall that Culex is primarily linked to diseases like West Nile fever and Japanese encephalitis.
This leaves Aedes as the correct vector, which is famously associated with Zika, as well as Dengue and Chikungunya.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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