An outbreak of the Zika virus has struck fear in Brazil, where thousands of people have already been infected. According to BBC news, US scientists have urged the World Health Organization to take urgent action over the Zika Virus, which they say has “explosive pandemic potential”. The Zika virus can cause significant birth defects and poor pregnancy outcomes. The virus is transmitted through animal or insect bites and stings, specifically mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes. There is currently no cure for this short-term virus. However, there are treatments such as IV fluids, ibuprofen, oral rehydration therapy, etc.  

“It’s pretty scary that there’s no vaccine or cure for the Zika Virus. Hopefully this all blows over like Ebola did and no one else gets infected”, says Freshman Jiyoung Song.

Though this virus is extremely rare, the recent outbreak in Brazil has provoked a lot of panic all over the world. Doctors are currently scrambling to come up with a vaccine that will obliterate this virus and the fear that it has struck. This process may take many years so until then, doctors hope that the virus will stop spreading and become less of a threat.