Most Zika virus infections are either asymptomatic or cause a mild illness with a transient maculopapular rash. However, there is scientific consensus that Zika virus is a cause of microcephaly, congenital nervous system malformations and Guillain-Barré syndrome.
The latest ECDC mosquito maps show new information about the geographical distribution of Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti, invasive mosquitoes which can transmit diseases such as dengue and Zika, in Europe.
The latest update of ECDC’s rapid risk assessment on the Zika epidemic includes an assessment of the level of risk for travellers based on an adaptation of the WHO interim guidance on the Zika virus country classification scheme and the recent epidemiological and scientific information.
On 20-21 April 2016 ECDC is organising a meeting on ‘Zika virus infection and review of surveillance and control measures for strengthening regional cooperation regarding Zika virus and its possible spread in the EU’.
This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 15-21 November 2015 and includes updates on Zika virus, MERS and Ebola virus disease.