2017 Volume 87 Issue Extra1 Pages E22-E27
Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus discovered in Africa in 1947. Symptoms are generally mild and include fever, rash, arthralgia, and conjunctivitis. Zika virus infection is suspected if these symptoms appear following a recent visit to areas where there is the epidemic. Outbreaks of the Zika virus continue mainly in Central and South America but there have been outbreaks in Asia as well and a few cases have been reported in Japan. Local transmission can happen in a manner similar to the outbreak of Dengue fever in Japan in 2014 as the Zika virus is transmitted by mosquito (Ae.albopictus) just like Dengue fever. While symptoms are milder than those of Dengue fever, the Zika virus can cause congenital Zika virus infection through maternal-fetal transmission and congenital abnormalities such as microcephaly can result. In the absence of a vaccine, measures to counter the mosquitos are of primary importance for now. Health care providers are required to have the knowledge to diagnose Zika virus infection where it is suspected based on these common symptoms.
This article reviews the Zika virus infection, its epidemiologic characteristics, clinical presentation, laboratory testing, treatment, and prevention to assist providers in the evaluation and management of suspected cases of Zika virus infection.
