Zika Outbreaks in Latin America and Caribbean
Prior to 2015, Zika virus outbreaks have occurred in areas of Africa, Southeast Asia, and the
Pacific Islands. In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert
regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infections in Brazil. Currently, outbreaks are occurring in
many countries and territories of Latin America and the Caribbean.
What You Need to Know:
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Zika disease is usually mild causing fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis and lasting
several days. About one in five infected people will have symptoms. Severe illness
requiring hospitalization is uncommon.
It is caused by Zika virus, which is spread to people primarily through the bite of an
infected Aedes species mosquito, (the same mosquito that transmits dengue and
chikungunya viruses). The virus may also be transmitted from pregnant mother to her
baby during pregnancy and around the time of birth.
A marked increase in the number of infants born with microcephaly has been noted in
Brazil during the Zika outbreak; an increase in Guillain Barre syndrome in Brazil has also
been reported. Investigations into a possible link with Zika virus infection and these
complications are ongoing.
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No local transmission of zika virus has been reported in the continental U.S. or Hawaii,
but cases have been reported in returning travelers.
There is currently no commercially available test for zika virus; there is no vaccine,
prophylactic medicine, or specific antiviral treatment for Zika disease at this time.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued travel precautions for
pregnant women, guidelines for monitoring pregnant women who have traveled to or
resided in Zika-affected areas, and guidelines for evaluating infants born to mothers
who traveled or lived in Zika-affected areas with evidence of Zika infection.
What You Need to Do:
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Health care providers should inform patients who are pregnant or considering
pregnancy about travel precautions to Zika-affected areas. These are being updated
frequently. See: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/.
Health care providers should ask all pregnant women about recent travel.
REPORT suspected Zika virus infection to Marion County Health Department (503) 5885621 within one working day. Zika virus is reportable in Oregon as an infection that is
typically “arthropod vector-borne.” Marion County Health Department can assist in
coordinating testing for the patient as needed.
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Women who traveled to or resided in an area with ongoing Zika virus transmission
during pregnancy should be evaluated for Zika virus infection and tested in accordance
with CDC guidelines. See: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/hc-providers/index.html.
For a live birth with evidence of maternal or fetal Zika virus infection, health care
providers should follow CDC guidelines on evaluation and testing. See:
http://www.cdc.gov/zika/hc-providers/index.htm. l