Emerging Zika virus

To the Editor

The article on Zika virus is very interesting.1 The Zika virus is a virus that has been mentioned for many decades, but it has just became the worldwide concern for a few months after the report of the abnormal infants born to infected mothers in South America. The teratogenic effect of Zika virus is an interesting issue. The great concern is why there is a lack for previous observation on the microcephaly newborn in other previous outbreaks in Southeast Asia and Pacific. At present, Zika virus infection is known as an arboviral disease that can cause acute febrile illness and hemorrhagic presentation.2 In some cases, neurological sequelae can be seen.2 Nevertheless, it should be noted that there are many asymptomatic and mild cases.3 It can be expected that there has been many silent infections around the world and it can be the future problem worldwide. As already noted, the interesting issue is the pathogenesis of the abnormal fetus in utero. The direct viral invasion is believed to be the patho-mechanism.4 However, the unexplained imbalance in number of observed cases in South America outbreak versus previous outbreaks is the issue for further studied. Porrino5 noted that “differences in African and Asian lineage and differences in genetic evolution of the Zika virus may possibly provide an explanation for the development of the recent outbreaks and their variable presentation.”

Reply from the Author

The letter has no comments or question that are directly relevant to the editorial. It is reasonable to publish it as it is.

Hail M. Al-Abdely

General Directorate of Infection Prevention and Control Ministry of Health Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia