Zika Virus

How is Zika virus transmitted?

• Zika virus is transmitted to humans primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. Aedes mosquitoes are aggressive daytime biters and feed both indoors and outdoors. They can also bite at night. Zika virus can be transmitted from a pregnant mother to her fetus during pregnancy or around the time of birth. We do not know how often Zika perinatal transmission occurs. Sexual transmission of Zika virus is possible.

What are symptoms of Zika virus infection?

• About 1 in 5 people infected with Zika virus become symptomatic. Characteristic clinical findings are acute onset of fever with maculopapular rash, arthralgia, or conjunctivitis. Other commonly reported symptoms include myalgia and headache. Clinical illness is usually mild, with symptoms lasting for several days to a week.

Other:

• The duration of symptoms is usually less than 1 week in the remainder of infected patients, and hospitalization and mortality are rare with Zika infection.

• A aegypti mosquitoes bite mostly during the daytime. Persons who must travel to areas of active Zika infections should practice advanced mosquito prevention strategies.

• Note that insect repellants containing DEET, picaridin, and IR3535 are safe to use during pregnancy.

• There are no commercially available tests for the Zika virus infection. Available tests use RT-PCR technology as well as antibody testing.

Recommendations for Men and Their Pregnant Partners

• Men who reside in or have traveled to an area of active Zika virus transmission who have a pregnant partner should abstain from sexual activity or consistently and correctly use condoms during sex (i.e., vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse, or fellatio) for the duration of the pregnancy. Pregnant women should discuss their male partner’s potential exposures to mosquitoes and history of Zika-like illness (http://www.cdc.gov/zika/symptoms) with their health care provider; providers can consult CDC’s guidelines for evaluation and testing of pregnant women.