Zika virus spreads to
people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species
mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus). People can
also get Zika through sex with an infected man, and the virus can also be
passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. The most common symptoms of Zika are
fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually
mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week after being bitten by an
infected mosquito. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital,
and they very rarely die of Zika. For this reason, many people might not
realize they have been infected. However, Zika virus infection during pregnancy
can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly, as well as
other severe fetal brain defects. Once a person has been infected, he or she is
likely to be protected from future infections.
Zika virus was first
discovered in 1947 and is named after the Zika Forest in Uganda. In 1952, the
first human cases of Zika were detected and since then, outbreaks of Zika have
been reported in tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Zika
outbreaks have probably occurred in many locations. Before 2007, at least 14
cases of Zika had been documented, although other cases were likely to have
occurred and were not reported. Because the symptoms of Zika are similar to
those of many other diseases, many cases may not have been recognized.
In May 2015, the Pan
American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first
confirmed Zika virus infection in Brazil. On February 1, 2016, the World Health
Organization (WHO) declared Zika virus a Public Health Emergency of
International Concern (PHEIC). Local transmission has been reported in many
other countries and territories. Zika virus will likely continue to spread to
new areas.
Specific areas where Zika is spreading are often
difficult to determine and are likely to change over time. If traveling, please
visit the CDC Travelers' Health site for
the most updated travel information.
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