Zika fever

Zika fever (also known as Zika virus disease) is an illness caused by the Zika virus. Most cases have no symptoms, but when present are usually mild and can resemble dengue fever. Symptoms generally last less than seven days. Symptoms may include fever, red eyes, joint pain, headache, and a maculopapular rash. It has not caused any reported deaths during the initial infection. Infection has been linked to Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS).

Zika fever is mainly spread via the bite of mosquitoes of the Aedes type. It can also be potentially spread by sex and blood transfusions. The disease may spread from mother-to-child in the womb and cause microcephaly. Diagnosis is by testing the blood, urine, or saliva for the virus's RNA when the person is sick.

Prevention involves decreasing mosquitoes bites in areas where the disease occurs. Efforts include the use of insect repellent, covering much of the body with clothing, mosquito nets, and getting rid of standing water where mosquitoes reproduce. There is no effective vaccine. Health officials recommended that women in areas affected by outbreaks consider putting off pregnancy due to the 2015 Zika outbreak and that pregnant women not travel to areas where outbreaks were occurring. While there is no specific treatment, paracetamol (acetaminophen) may help with the symptoms. Admission to hospital is rarely necessary.