ZIKA VIRUS INFECTION AND RISKS TO AUSTRALIANS
KEY ISSUES
 Zika virus, transmitted by mosquitos in other countries, is of
particular concern for pregnant women as there is a possibility that
as it may cause microcephaly (small/underdeveloped brain) in
unborn babies.
 This virus has been known since 1947 and occurs mostly in Africa
and Asia. It has come to attention because of an increase in
infections associated with an increase in microcephaly in Brazil.
 There is no vaccine or treatment for this virus. Prevention by
avoiding mosquito bites is the best course of action.
 In recent years outbreaks of Zika virus infection have been
reported in the Pacific and South and Central America. Some
outbreaks have raised concerns that Zika virus infection might
cause certain birth defects if the baby is infected in utero. There
has also been an increase in the number of people developing a
rare condition that causes paralysis called Guillain-Barré
Syndrome.
 There is a continuing risk of Zika virus being imported into
Australia from affected areas, with the risk of local transmission in
areas of Central and North Queensland where the mosquito vector
is present.
TALKING POINTS:
 Given the seriousness of the possible risk to unborn babies, the
Department of Health has provided information to inform travel
advice provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
which recommends that pregnant women consider deferring travel
to affected areas.
 This advice is consistent with that of other countries such as
Canada, United States of America, United Kingdom and Europe.
 Travellers should follow recommendations to avoid mosquito bites
when travelling in overseas countries where there is a risk of any
mosquito-borne disease. This is particularly important if a woman
is pregnant or likely to become so.
 The Department of Health is also issuing advice to clinicians to
raise awareness of the need to consider Zika virus infection in
travellers returning from affected areas.
 The department is working closely with colleagues in the states
and territories through the Communicable Diseases Network
Australia to ensure a national approach.
 Australian laboratories are able to diagnose Zika virus infection if
required.
 Zika virus infection is nationally notifiable. There have only ever
been 20 confirmed cases reported in Australia, all of whom were
infected overseas.
 There is a very low risk of transmission of Zika virus in Australia,
due to the absence of the mosquito vectors in most parts of the
country. The mosquitos that can transmit Zika virus are present in
Central and North Queensland, but there is no evidence that Zika
has been transmitted in Australia.
 In the event of an imported case in areas of Queensland where the
mosquito vector is present, health authorities will respond urgently
to prevent transmission, e.g. as they do for dengue. There is no
vaccine or treatment for this virus. Prevention by avoiding
mosquito bites is the best course of action.
BACKGROUND
 Zika virus is closely related to the dengue virus. It is spread
through the bite of an infected mosquito, specifically the dengue
mosquito Aedes aegypti,and also some other Aedes species.
 In Brazil, 150 to 200 cases of microcephaly (small brain) have
been reported in new born babies each year from 2010 to 2014. In
2015, there was a sharp increase to 739 cases as of 21 November
2015. This increase occurred concurrently with the reported
outbreaks of Zika virus infection in 18 Brazilian states.
 Zika virus can be found in animals in many parts of Asia and Africa
without any outbreaks in humans.
 Outbreaks of Zika virus infection were reported in the Pacific in
2013 and 2014, and more recently in South and Central America in
2015, continuing into 2016. Zika virus spread rapidly amongst
humans through South and Central America in 2015 and early
2016, with the list of countries in the region that are affected
continuing to grow.
 If someone has caught Zika virus it can take up to 12 days for
symptoms to appear.
 Only one person in five who becomes infected is likely to have any
symptoms, and if they do, the disease is generally not severe and
lasts only a few days. Symptoms typically include a fever, pain in
the joints, especially in the hands and feet with swelling, muscle
pain, headache, with pain behind the eyes, conjunctivitis, a skin
rash and weakness or lack of energy