Zika virus
Introduction
Zika virus disease is mainly spread by mosquitoes. For most people it is a very mild infection and isn't harmful.
However, it may be more serious for pregnant women, as there's evidence it causes birth defects in particular, abnormally small heads (microcephaly).
Zika does not naturally occur in the UK. Zikaoutbreaks have been reported in the Pacific region, and the virus has now spread to South and Central America, the Caribbean and South East Asia.
If you plan to travel to an affected area, seek travel health advice before your trip.Travel advice is tailoredto you and based on the level of risk (high, moderate, low, very low)for the country you're travelling to.
It is recommended that pregnant women should:
- postpone non-essential travelto areas at high risk of Zika virus transmission, and
- consider postponing non-essential travel to areas at moderate risk of Zika virus transmission until after pregnancy
High-risk areas are where cases of Zika virus disease have been acquired locally, through mosquito bites, and reported by health authorities within the last three months.
If you travel to an affected area, you can reduce your risk of catching the virus by using insect repellent and wearing loose clothing that covers your arms and legs.
Read on to find out:
How you catch Zika virus infection
Reducing your risk of Zika virus infection
Advice for pregnant women
If you are trying to get pregnant
How Zika virus infection is treated
Zika virus and blood donation
Zika virus andGuillain-Barr syndrome
Information about you
Further reading
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 24 Jan 2017
Introduction
Information about Zika virus and advice on travelling to an affected area.
Symptoms of Zika virus infection
Most people don't have any symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they are usually mild and last around two to seven days. Commonly reported symptoms include: rash itching all over the body fever heada
How you catch Zika virus infection
Most cases of Zika virus disease are spread by infected mosquitoes biting humans. Unlike the mosquitoes that spread malaria, affected mosquitoes (the Aedes mosquito) are most active during the day, es
Reducing your risk of Zika virus infection
Before travelling, seek travel health advice from your GP/practice nurse or a travel clinic ideally four to six weeks before you go. You can use this A to Z guide to check if the country you are vis
Advice for pregnant women
Scientists believe that there is enough evidence to show that Zika virus infection is a cause of birth defects,including microcephaly (this means the baby will have an abnormally small head and can be
Advice for womentrying to get pregnant
If you are trying to get pregnant, discuss your travel plans with your GP, practice nurse or travel clinic. You should take extra care to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. It is recommended that you
How Zika virus infection is treated
There is no specific treatment for Zika virus symptoms. Drinking plenty of water and taking paracetamol may help relieve symptoms. If you feel unwell after returning from a country that has malaria
Zika virus and blood donation
As a precaution, the NHS Blood and Transplant service has recommended that people who have travelled to areas with active Zika virus transmission wait 28 days before donating blood. If you want to k
Zika virus andGuillain-Barr syndrome
Scientists now believe that Zika virus is a cause of Guillain-Barr syndrome (GBS), a serious condition of the nervous system. The risk of developing GBS following a Zika virus infection is currently
Information about you
If you have been infected with Zika virus, your clinical team will pass information about you on to the National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Diseases Registration Service (NCARDRS). This helps scient
Further reading
Public Health England. Zika virus: clinical and travel guidance . Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Q&As on Zika and pregnancy . World Health Organization. Zika virus fact sheet
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