A small, dark, hot-weather Aedes aegypti mosquito with white markings and banded legs is responsible for spreading the deadly Zika virus in several countries. Scientists believe the species originated in Africa, but came to the Americas on slave ships. It's continued to spread through shipping and airplanes. Now it's found through much of the world, including the southern United States.
These are the same mosquitoes that spread dengue and chikungunya viruses. These mosquitoes typically lay eggs in and near standing water in things like buckets, bowls, animal dishes, flower pots and vases. They are aggressive daytime biters, prefer to bite people, and live indoors and outdoors near people.
Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on a person already infected with the virus. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to other people through bites.
The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon.
No vaccine or medications are available so far to prevent or treat Zika infections.
There have been reports of a serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly - a condition in which a baby’s head is smaller than expected when compared to babies of the same sex and age - and other poor pregnancy outcomes in babies of mothers who were infected with Zika virus while pregnant.
Outbreaks of Zika virus are not new. They have previously been reported in tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Zika virus likely will continue to spread to new areas. In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infection in Brazil.
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