Zika virus
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The mosquito that carries the Zika virus is found worldwide.
The Zika (ZEE’-kuh) virus is a mosquito-borne viral infection that primarily occurs in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Most people infected with the Zika virus have no signs and symptoms, while others report mild fever, rash and muscle pain. Other signs and symptoms may include headache, red eyes (conjunctivitis) and a general feeling of discomfort. Zika virus is also called Zika or Zika virus disease.
Zika virus infections during pregnancy have been linked to miscarriage and can cause microcephaly, a potentially fatal congenital brain condition. The Zika virus also may cause other neurological disorders such as Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Researchers are working on a Zika virus vaccine. For now the best prevention is to prevent mosquito bites and reduce mosquito habitats.
As many as 4 out of 5 people infected with the Zika virus have no signs or symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they usually begin two to seven days after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito. Signs and symptoms of the Zika virus most commonly include:
Other signs and symptoms may include:
Most people recover fully, with symptoms resolving in about a week.
See your doctor if you think you or a family member may have the Zika virus, especially if you have recently traveled to an area where there’s an ongoing outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has blood tests to look for the Zika virus or similar diseases such as dengue or chikungunya viruses, which are spread by the same type of mosquitoes.
The Zika virus is transmitted primarily through the bite of an infected aedes species mosquito, which can be found throughout the world. The virus was first identified in the Zika Forest in Uganda in 1947, but outbreaks have since been reported in southeastern and southern Asia, the Pacific Islands and the Americas.
When a mosquito bites a person infected with the Zika virus, the virus enters the mosquito. When the infected mosquito then bites another person, the virus enters that person’s bloodstream.
The virus can also spread to the fetus during pregnancy.
Spread of the virus through sexual contact and blood transfusion have been reported.
Factors that put you at greater risk of developing the Zika virus include:
Living or traveling in countries where there have been outbreaks. Being in tropical and subtropical areas increases your risk of exposure to the virus that causes the Zika virus. Especially high-risk areas include several islands of the Pacific region, a number of countries in Central, South and North America, and islands near West Africa. Because the mosquito that carries the Zika virus is found worldwide, it’s likely that outbreaks will continue to spread to new regions.
The mosquitoes that carry the Zika virus are found in some parts of the United States. Most cases of the Zika virus infection in the U.S. have been reported in travelers returning to the U.S. But local transmission has been reported in certain areas of the U.S. and in Puerto Rico.
Zika virus infections during pregnancy have been linked to miscarriage and microcephaly, a potentially fatal congenital brain condition.
The Zika virus may also cause congenital Zika syndrome, which includes these birth defects:
The Zika virus also may cause other neurological disorders such as Guillain-Barre syndrome.
There is no vaccine to protect against the Zika virus.
The CDC recommends all pregnant women avoid traveling to areas where there is an outbreak of the Zika virus. If you have a partner who lives in or has traveled to an area where there is an outbreak of the Zika virus, the CDC recommends abstaining from sex during pregnancy or using a condom during sexual contact.
If you are trying to become pregnant, talk to your doctor about any upcoming travel plans and the risk of getting infected with the Zika virus. Your doctor may suggest you and your partner wait to try to conceive for several months.
During sexual contact, use a condom to reduce the risk of getting or spreading the Zika virus if you or your partner lives in or has traveled to an area where there is an outbreak of Zika virus. Or avoid sexual contact.
If you are living or traveling in tropical areas where the Zika virus is known to be, these tips may help reduce your risk of mosquito bites:
Use mosquito repellent. Permethrin can be applied to your clothing, shoes, camping gear and bed netting. You also can buy clothing made with permethrin already in it. For your skin, use a repellent containing at least a 10 percent concentration of DEET.
When used as directed, insect repellents that are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are proven safe and effective for pregnant and breast-feeding women.
All blood donations are now screened for the Zika virus. To further reduce the risk of transmitting Zika virus through blood transfusion in areas where there are no active Zika virus outbreaks, the Food and Drug Administration recommends not donating blood for four weeks if you:
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Zika virus
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