| ZIKA VIRUS - Not a threat to Domestic Animals |
The Ministry of Health recently warned of the possibility of the introduction of a new vector-borne disease - the Zika Virus, also called ZikV. It has made its first appearence in the western hemisphere, with cases being diagnosed in humans in Brazil.
Zika, caused by a Flavivirus - the same family that includes Dengue Fever and West Nile viruses - is classified as an Emerging Disease and is another that had its origins in animals - specifically non-human primates. It is transmitted by Aedes sp. mosquitoes and thus has the potential to spread wherever these insects exist.
It is NOT known to infect any of the domestic animal species so pets, livestock, horses and other animals around us should remain unaffected should the disease arrive on our shores.
For an article on ZikV, please click HERE.
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