Editorial

Infection is the common problem in medicine. The virus infection usually problematic. The specific group of virus that can be transmitted via arthropod, called arbovirus, is the present global concern. Of several arbovirus infections, the Zika virus infection is a new virus that is widely mentioned at present. The virus can be transmitted to human and causes disease by mosquito vector. The Zika virus infection is an arbovirus infection that is the present big global problem. The disease affects several countries in different zones around the world. In public health, the problem is widespread. The Zika virus disease cause several infected cases in several countries around the world at present. The disease can cause a dengue-like febrile illness action also result in unwanted neurological complication. Also, the teratogenic property of the virus, induction of microcephaly infant, is confirmed. At present, the Zika virus infection affects several areas around the world, hence, it should be the special focus in medicine. The effect of Zika virus in surgery is very interesting but little mentioned. The important topic should be the effect of Zika virus on surgery for the infected patients. Whether there is any problem in operation is usually a big question.

In fact, as a new emerging infection with expanded affected area, it is no doubt that there might be some Zika virus infected cases requiring surgery. The basic concern is the observation of thrombocytopenia in Zika virus infection, similar to dengue. Nevertheless, the thrombocytopenia in Zika virus infection is usually not serious and the hemorrhage is extremely uncommon. At least, the infected pregnant that have cesarean operation get the surgery [1]. There is no report that there is any increased risk for surgery in the patients with underlying Zika virus infection. The operative procedure can be done without any increased risk. Zika virus infection is not a contraindication for surgery. Also, there is no special recommendation regarding the anesthesia during the operation for the patients with Zika virus infection.

Nevertheless, the important concern is the prevention of disease transmission to the others. The safety of the blood product use during surgery becomes a big discussed issue [2]. The possibility of Zika virus transmission via blood transfusion is the present interesting discussion in transfusion medicine. There is a chance that the disease can be transmitted via blood and blood product. The blood screening in the endemic area is highly recommended [3].

The safety concern for the surgeon should also be mentioned. Although it was not reported that the Zika virus can be transmitted by needle or sharp object accidental injury, it requires a great attention, according to standard precautions, during practice with the patients. The accidental injury might be the mean that the surgeon can get Zika virus disease. Finally the awareness of exposure to Zika virus in other modes is required [4-6]. Surgeon has the same risk as anyone during the outbreak period [5,6]. The surgeon might get infected and develop Zika virus disease. The surgeon has to follow the basic rule for prevention of Zika virus including avoidance of mosquito bite, safe sex, avoidance of blood or blood product contact and follow the standard precautions for prevention of the infectious disease.

Conflict of Interest

None.

References

1. Mattar S, Ojeda C, Arboleda J, Arrieta G, Bosch I, et al. (2017)Case report: Microcephaly associated with zika virus infection Colombia. BMC Infect Dis 17:423.
2. Backer CL (2017) Blood and the zikavirus. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 154:305.
3. Ellingson KD, Sapiano MRP, Haass KA, Savinkina AA, Baker ML, et al. (2017) Cost projections for implementation of safety interventions to prevent transfusion-transmitted Zika virus infection in the United States. Transfusion 57:1625-1633.
4. Calotta NA, Sacks JM, Kumar AR (2017) Zika Virus: Practical information for the plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Ann Plast Surg 78:467-470.
5. Wiwanitkit V (2016) Zikavirus infection and surgery: What should we be concerned about? Surg Infect (Larchmt) 17:498.
6. Wiwanitkit V (2016) Zika virus and maxillofacial surgery. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg 54:1145.