Since 2015, and as of 20 October 2016, there have been 69 countries and territories reporting mosquito-borne transmission of the virus. According to WHO and as of 20 October 2016, 23 countries or territories have reported microcephaly and other central nervous system (CNS) malformations in newborns potentially associated with Zika virus infection.
Since 1 February 2016, Zika virus infection and the related clusters of microcephaly cases and other neurological disorders constitute a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).
ECDC documents on Zika preparedness in EU: Preparedness guide for diseases transmitted by Aedes; Zika virus and safety of substances of human origin, and policy briefing.
Zika virus is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. But there are other, although rare, modes of transmission. What can be done to prevent infection?
The information is provided to aid diagnosis for returning travellers, especially pregnant women with travel history during pregnancy - returning from countries and territories that have recently experienced or are currently experiencing local active Zika virus transmission.
This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 21 May - 27 May 2017 and includes updates on influenza, hepatitis A, cholera, Ebola virus disease and Legionnaires' disease.
This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 9-15 April 2017 and includes updates on hepatitis A, influenza, MDR TB, measles, yellow fever, Zika, dengue and Chikungunya.