Zika virus infection overview
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Nate Michalak, B.A.
Overview
Zika fever is an illness caused by the Zika virus, a member of the family Flaviviridae. The fever and virus are named after the Ugandan forest where the virus was first isolated. The virus is commonly found in Africa but has also been found in Malaysia and Micronesia. Symptoms are similar to dengue fever, but are milder in form and usually last four to seven days. No hemorrhagic manifestations have been documented. Common symptoms include a maculopapular skin rash that starts on the face or trunk before moving to the rest of the body, conjunctivitis, joint pain, low-grade fevers and headache.
Historical Perspective
Zika virus was first isolated from a rhesus Monkey in 1947 in Uganda. The virus was first isolated from humans in 1968 in Nigeria. Since then, outbreaks have occurred throughout Asia and Africa. The most recent outbreak occurred in Brazil in April 2015.
Pathophysiology
Causes
Zika virus infection is cause by Zika virus, an enveloped, single stranded positive sense RNA virus. Zika virus is a type of flavivirus and primarily transmitted through mosquitoes.