Zika Virus

Zika virus is an Aedes mosquito-borne flavivirus that causes mild febrile illness in adults but poses severe public health risks due to its causal link to congenital microcephaly and neurological disorders.

• It highlights structural vulnerabilities in India's vector-borne disease control mechanisms and urban sanitation infrastructure.
• It underscores the necessity of integrated epidemiological surveillance and maternal healthcare monitoring during emerging disease outbreaks.
• It serves as a case study for evaluating public health emergency preparedness and vector management under national health programs.

UPSC typically frames questions on Zika virus within the Science and Technology and Disaster Management sections of GS Paper III, focusing on vector control and public health infrastructure. Questions often evaluate the administrative and technological strategies required to manage vector-borne epidemics and prevent congenital health complications. Candidates are expected to analyze institutional gaps in epidemiological surveillance alongside preventive measures like biotechnology-driven vector management.

• Social Sector/Services: health, education, human resources GS2

• COVID-19
• Dengue
• Malaria
• Monkeypox
• Nipah Virus