The species of mosquito that transmits Zika is the same as the mosquito that transmits Dengue, Chikungunya and Yellow Fever.2
Risk areas for Zika
FAQs
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Key fact
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How do you get Zika virus?
By being bitten by infected mosquitoes which carry the virus. The disease can also be caught through sex with an infected partner.2
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Which countries are affected by Zika virus?
Many countries in the Pacific region, South and Central America, the Caribbean, Africa, and parts of south and southeast Asia (see map).1,3,4
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What are the symptoms of Zika virus?
Symptoms appear between 3-14 days and are generally mild.2 They can last 2-7 days and include fever, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle pain, joint pain, feeling of being generally unwell, and headache.2
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How serious is Zika virus?
Some babies born to women who become infected have severely abnormal brain development. Possible links with a range of other complications are being investigated.2
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Can I prevent getting Zika virus?
You can take the following precautions to help reduce your risk of infection:
- Visit your nearest convenient pharmacy or specialist travel health clinic for a risk assessment before your trip
- If pregnant or intending to become pregnant women should take extra care to avoid being bitten, and try to avoid becoming pregnant while travelling1
- Use a recommended insect repellent containing either Picaridin, DEET, PMD or OLE, IR3535 or 2-undecanone5
- Wear appropriate clothing (e.g loose fitting long-sleeved clothes, long trousers, socks and shoes) to minimise exposed skin6
- Use mosquito nets if you are sleeping or resting in unscreened accommodation or sleeping outdoors during the day or night6
- Practise safer sex (including using condoms)2
Ready to get started? Check now for your nearest travel health clinic.
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* This list is not exhaustive and other travel health providers are available.
References
- Conditions. Zika. December 2018. Available online: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/zika/ (Last accessed May 2021)
- World Health Organization. Factsheet. Zika Virus. July 2018. Available at: https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/zika-virus (Last accessed May 2021)
- Gov.uk Guidance. Zika virus: country specific risk. July 2019. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/zika-virus-country-specific-risk (Last accessed May 2021)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Zika Virus. Statistics and Maps. 2021 Case Counts in the US. April 2021. Available online: https://www.cdc.gov/zika/reporting/2021-case-counts.html (Last accessed May 2021)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yellow Book 2020. Chapter 3 Environmental Hazards & Other Noninfectious Health Risks. Mosquitoes, Ticks, & Other Arthropods. July 2019. Available online: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/noninfectious-health-risks/mosquitoes-ticks-and-other-arthropods (Last accessed May 2021)
- Public Health England. Mosquito bite avoidance for travellers. August 2017. Available online: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mosquito-bite-avoidance-for-travellers (Last accessed May 2021)
UK-BOTB-2100033 May 2021