The pathogenicity and potential risk evaluation of Zika virus to cause mysterious “Disease X”: A brief report

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aims Disease X is included to represent an unknown pathogen that has the potential to spread globally and trigger significant epidemics. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI) recommend 10 potential disease organisms responsible for disease X. Among them, the Zika virus (ZIKV) is one of the potential organisms. The present work aimed to evaluate the current pathogenicity and potential risk of the ZIKV for public health emergencies. Methods We performed a brief review of existing literature from available sources using Zika fever, Zika virus, and Flaviviridae as keywords and extracted relevant information for this review. Results The primary way that the ZIKV transmits to humans is by mosquito bites (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus). Typically, Aedes mosquitoes bite during the day. As an RNA virus, the ZIKV is well‐known for its rapid mutation rate. ZIKV strains or variations can arise due to genomic mutations, and they occur through various processes, including replication errors, recombination, and selection pressure. Nowadays, the ZIKV has also evolved into a global pandemic because the four‐amino acid sequence fits the envelope protein's 154 glycosylation motif, which may be involved in virulence. Conclusion There is no specific medicine or vaccine available for the prevention or treatment of ZIKV infection. Therefore, personal protective measures should be the way to prevent ZIKV disease. Therefore, avoiding exposure is the best way to prevent problems from ZIKV to mosquitoes.

Keywords

• disease X
• Flaviviridae
• orthornavirae
• public health
• Zika fever
• Zika virus