ABSTRACT
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a positive-sense RNA virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family of viruses. This family also includes other related members such as the viruses causing dengue, Japanese encephalitis, West Nile, and yellow fever. It derives its name from the Zika forests of Uganda, where it was first discovered in 1947. For many years, Zika fever was an endemic disease primarily confined to a narrow area of the equatorial region. However, in the past two decades, the virus has spread and infected people in over 80 countries, thereby giving rise to an epidemic. This widespread distribution of the Zika virus from remote African forests to new international destinations has largely been supported by present globalisation and associated climatic changes. This chapter emphasises various anthropogenic factors such as human–animal conflict over sharing common restricted areas; sub-standard living practices; altered geographical parameters (like temperature and rainfall patterns); urbanisation accompanied by unsustainable methods; and progressively growing aviation sector with extensive air travel and its contribution to the rapid advancement of Zika virus infection. Additionally, we discuss the role of disease modelling and other feasible measures that can be instrumental in controlling the adverse effects of Zika fever infection as well as helping in the containment of the Zika virus.
