This illness is transmitted by the same Aedes mosquito that carries dengue and chikungunya virus, found throughout much of the Americas, including parts of the United States. An estimated 80 percent of people infected with the Zika virus have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur they are generally mild.

The virus has been linked to microcephaly in infants and a health advisory for pregnant women to postpone travel to affected areas has been issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sexual transmission of Zika virus has also been documented and all travelers to affected areas are warned to take steps to avoid mosquito bites.

For the latest information regarding Zika please see links below.