Zika virus (ZIKV) is a member of the Flaviviridae virus family and the Flavivirus genus, transmitted by daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes, such as A. aegypti. Zika virus is spread to people through mosquito bites. The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon.
In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infection in Brazil. The outbreak in Brazil led to reports of Guillain-Barré syndrome and pregnant women giving birth to babies with birth defects and poor pregnancy outcomes.
Symptoms of Zika virus infection
- low-grade fever (between 37.8°C and 38.5°C)
- arthralgia, notably of small joints of hands and feet, with possible swollen joints
- myalgia
- headache, retro-ocular headaches
- conjunctivitis
- cutaneous maculopapular rash
- post-infection asthenia which seems to be frequent.
More rarely observed symptoms include digestive problems (abdominal pain, diarrhoea, constipation), mucous membrane ulcerations (aphthae), and pruritus.
