Biology Assignment #1

Viral Diseases
Viral Diseases

 A viral disease is any illness or health condition caused by a virus.

 It occurs when an organism's body is invaded by pathogenic viruses, and
infectious virus particles attach to and enter susceptible cells.
 Viruses are very small infectious agents. They’re made up of a piece of
genetic material, such as DNA or RNA, that’s enclosed in a coat of protein.
They invade cells in your body and use components of those cells to help
them multiply. This process often damages or destroys infected cells.
Zika Virus

 Zika virus is a mosquito-borne

flavivirus that was first identified
in Uganda in 1947 in monkeys. It
was later identified in humans in
1952 in Uganda and the United
Republic of Tanzania.
  For most people it's a very mild
infection and is not harmful but it
may be more serious for pregnant
women, as there's evidence it
causes birth defects.
Causative Agent

 Zika is spread mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito,

mainly the Aedes aegypti.
Biology of The Organism (Lifecycle)

 Zika virus (ZIKV) is an enveloped, icosahedral flavivirus that has structural and
functional similarities to other human flavivirus pathogens such as dengue
(DENV).
Biology of The Organism (Lifecycle)

 Flaviviruses are tiny structures made up of protein, RNA (a molecule related

to DNA), and a lipid membrane. Each viral particle consists of a single-
stranded RNA genome tucked inside a protein shell called a capsid,
surrounded by an external sphere of membrane known as the envelope.
 A defining characteristic of viruses is that they cannot reproduce on their
own. Instead, they must infect host cells and “reprogram” them to become
virus-producing factories. Zika virus is no exception. It cannot replicate by
itself, but can infect and replicate inside of the cells of several species,
including humans, monkeys, and mosquitoes.
Biology of The Organism (Lifecycle)

 Once Zika virus particles are in the human body, they must enter individual
cells in order to replicate and make more viruses. Specific proteins on its outer
envelope that interact with receptor proteins on human cells. When the viral
proteins bind to cell receptors, they “trick” the cells into taking up the viral
particle. Inside the cell, the RNA genome of the virus is released into the
cytoplasm and here, the RNA molecule is translated by enzymes in the cell to
make a long protein, which is chopped up into a number of smaller proteins.
Viral proteins and copies of the RNA genome assemble at the surface of the
endoplasmic reticulum (ER). New viral particles bud off into the interior of the
ER, taking a small patch of ER membrane along with them and this membrane
will form the viral envelope. The particles then travel through another
structure, the Golgi apparatus, where they undergo more processing before
release at the cell surface and can infect other cells, continuing the infection
cycle.
Modes of Transmission

 Through mosquito bites

 The transmission of the Zika Virus occurs primarily through the bite of an
infected mosquito of the Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus species, the same
vector of the dengue and chikungunya viruses.
 Transmission of this viral disease occurs from person to person when a female
mosquito of the Aedes species takes a blood meal (to gain protein for her eggs)
from an individual infected with the zika virus. The virus in the blood of the
infected individual (typically only through the first week of infection) enters
the gut cells of the mosquito, replicates and is transferred to the mosquito’s
salivary glands. The virus is then injected into an uninfected person when the
mosquito injects anticoagulants from their saliva that prevent blood clotting
while they take another blood meal. The mosquito remains able to transmit
zika for its entire life and this cycle continues.
Modes of Transmission
Modes of Transmission

 From mother to child

 The zika virus can also be
transmitted from mother to child
across the placenta during
pregnancy or can be passed from
the mother to her baby during the
birth process.
Modes of Transmission

 Through sexual intercourse

 The zika virus can be passed through coitus from a person who has Zika to his
or her partners. It can be transmitted from an infected person before their
symptoms start, while they have symptoms, and after their symptoms end.
 Through blood transfusion
 Although this is less common, the zika virus can be transmitted through blood
transfusions.
 According to the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) there have
been multiple reports of possible blood transfusion transmission cases in
Brazil.
Signs and Symptoms

These include:
 Fever
 Rash.
 Headache.
 Joint pain.
 Conjunctivitis (red eyes)
 Muscle pain.
Risk Factors

 Living in or travelling to places where there was an outbreak of the virus: the
Zika Virus are mostly found in the tropical as well as subtropical areas. Thus,
traveling to or living in these places increases your risk of contracting the
virus. The areas listed below have had major outbreaks of the Zika Virus:
 The Caribbean
 Mexico
 Central America
 South America
 Pacific Islands
 Africa
 Asia
Risk Factors

 Having unprotected sex- the Zika Virus can be transmitted from person to person
through unprotected sex as such it is advised that you wear a condom during sexual
activity as well as avoid have sexual intercourse with a pregnant person if you have
travelled to an area were there was a Zika outbreak.
 Not following the preventative protocols necessary for contracting the virus-
preventative protocols are put in place to prevent us from contracting the virus, as
such if you do not adhere to these protocols, you’re put at a higher risk of contracting
this virus.
 Blood transfusion- when getting a blood transfusion, you are at a greater risk of getting
the virus if the blood donor contract the Zika Virus. The virus travels through the
bloodstream, therefore getting a blood transfusion increases your risk of contracting
the virus.
Preventative Measures and Treatment

 As it relates to treatment, no specific antiviral treatment for the Zika virus

exists. Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms with rest, fluids and
medications — such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) — to relieve joint pain
and fever.
Preventative Measures and Treatment

 No vaccine exists to prevent the

Zika virus. But several vaccines are
currently in clinical trials.
 Therefore, preventative measures
are very vital. Prevention and
control relies on reducing
mosquitos through source
reduction and reducing contact
between mosquitos and people.
Some common preventative
measures are:
Preventative Measures and Treatment

 Special attention and help should be given to those who may not be able to
protect themselves adequately, such as young children, the sick or the elderly
 During outbreaks, health authorities may advise that spraying of insecticide
be carried out
 Travellers ahould take the basic precautions described above to protect
themselves from mosquito bites
Group Members

 Samuel Haynes
 Ameena Mohamed
 Samuela Bruce
 Dominic Davis
 Selene Ramrattan