•A flavivirus primarily spread by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

•Pathogen classification:

•Family Flaviviridae

•Genus Flavivirus.

•Viral structure:

•Enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus.

•Discovery: 1947 in Zika Forest, Uganda.

•Key symptoms:

•Fever, rash, joint pain, red eyes — but 80% asymptomatic.

•Other transmission routes:

•Sexual contact, blood transfusion, maternal-fetal.

•Zika is part of the same virus family as dengue, yellow fever, and West Nile.

•Travel to Zika area + at least 2 symptoms (fever, rash, arthralgia, conjunctivitis).

•Probable case:

•Positive IgM antibodies, without another flavivirus infection.

•Confirmed case:

•RT-PCR or PRNT confirmation of Zika RNA in blood, urine, or other fluid.

•CDC and WHO provide distinct classification systems for public health reporting.

•Importance: Proper classification prevents misdiagnosis with dengue/chikungunya.

Used to track outbreaks and guide quarantine or travel warnings

•Zika enters via mosquito bite and infects skin dendritic cells.

•Spread:

•Disseminates through lymphatic system and bloodstream.

•Crosses key barriers:

•blood-brain barrier (neurological symptoms), placental barrier (birth defects).

•Fetal impact:

•Targets neural progenitor cells, leading to microcephaly and brain malformations.

•Adult complications:

•Rarely causes Guillain-Barré Syndrome (autoimmune neurological disorder).

•Immune response:

•Evades innate immunity via non-structural proteins (e.g., NS5 blocking interferons).

(WHO, 2022)., (WHO, 2022)

•Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (daytime biters).

•Secondary transmission:

•Sexual contact (up to 6 months), blood transfusion, organ donation.

•Geographic spread:

•Rapid expansion in Americas in 2015–2016.

•Global risk factors:

•Climate change, urbanization, international travel.

•Endemic regions:

Parts of Africa, Southeast Asia, South America, and the Caribbean.Zika outbreaks often

(WHO, 2022).

•Preventative strategies:

•Mosquito control: Eliminate standing water, use insecticides.

•Personal protection: Insect repellent, clothing, bed nets.

•Sexual protection: Condom use, avoid sex with travelers from outbreak zones.

•CDC & WHO guidelines for pregnant women:

•Avoid travel to Zika-endemic areas.

•Surveillance:

•Global reporting networks, PCR diagnostics, blood screening.

•Ongoing research:

•Vaccine trials (mRNA-based, inactivated virus platforms).

(CDC, 2022), (WHO, 2022)

•Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Zika virus. https://www.cdc.gov/zika/