Zika Virus: What You Need to Know

What is Zika Virus?

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause serious birth defects and other health problems. It is spread by daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes, which are found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Zika virus infection can include fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (pink eye). In most cases, the symptoms are mild and last for a few days. However, Zika virus infection can also cause serious birth defects, including microcephaly (a condition in which a baby's head is unusually small) and other neurological problems.

Prevention

There is no vaccine or specific treatment for Zika virus infection. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid mosquito bites. This can be done by:

• Wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants
• Using insect repellent
• Staying in air-conditioned areas
• Using mosquito nets over beds