What is Zika virus

In humans, it causes a mild illness known as Zika fever, Zika, or Zika disease, which since the 1950s has been known to occur within a narrow equatorial belt from Africa to Asia.

In 2014, the virus spread eastward across the Pacific Ocean to French Polynesia, then to Easter Island and in 2015 to Central America, the Caribbean, and South America, where the Zika outbreak has reached pandemic levels.

Zika virus is related to dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and West Nile viruses, all of which are arthropod-borne flaviviruses.

The illness it causes is similar to a mild form of dengue fever, is treated by rest, and cannot be prevented by drugs or vaccines.[3] A link between Zika fever and microcephaly in newborn babies of infected mothers has now been confirmed.

In January 2016, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued travel guidance on affected countries, including the use of enhanced precautions and considering postponing travel, and guidelines for pregnant women.

Other governments or health agencies soon issued similar travel warnings, while Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Jamaica advised women to postpone getting pregnant until more is known about the risks.