The silent threat: unravelling zika virus epidemiology and circulation in Africa, with emphasis on Nigeria. a review

Abstract

The introduction and reemergence of zoonotic diseases, especially arboviruses, pose a continuous global health danger. Among these, the Zika virus (ZIKV) has received a lot of attention because of its fast spread and link to severe neurological problems such as microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome. The Zika virus (ZIKV), which belongs to the Flaviviridae family, has lately attracted attention because of its ability to spread quickly across different locations and its connections to dangerous neurological disorders such Guillain-Barré syndrome and microcephaly. The ZIKV, which is mostly carried by Aedes mosquitoes, was formerly restricted to equatorial parts of Africa and Asia, but experienced a major epidemiological shift in 2014, spreading extensive circulation in the Americas by 2015. Despite considerable global studies, we still have a limited grasp of ZIKV's historical and present distribution, predominant lineages, and specific epidemiological variables in African sub-regions, particularly West Africa. This study fills this vacuum by thoroughly examining ZIKV epidemiology and distribution throughout Africa, with a particular emphasis on Nigeria. We traced the virus's origin in Uganda in 1947 to its eventual confirmation in many African countries, emphasizing the different African and Asian lineages and their worldwide spread. Importantly, we integrate known data on ZIKV's existence and effect in Nigeria, showing evidence of its history and continuing circulation from serological and genomic investigations conducted across many states and demographics, including pregnant women. The review describes ZIKV as a "silent threat" in Africa since it is frequently asymptomatic, demanding tailored surveillance, preventive, and response methods. To improve preparedness against future arboviral outbreaks and protect public health, it is essential to comprehend the complex interactions between the factors responsible for the spread of ZIKV in Nigeria and across the continent.