Cutaneous manifestations of the Zika virus

Abstract

The Zika virus outbreak in Africa, Asia, the Americas, and the Pacific has drawn attention to the virus in the media and medical community. As of February 10, 2016, 52 travel-related cases of Zika virus have been reported in the United States. 1 The Zika virus was initially isolated in 1947 in a rhesus monkey in the Zika forest of Uganda. The first documented human outbreak occurred in 2007 in the Federated States of Micronesia and was followed by another outbreak in 2013 through 2014 in the nearby Pacific Island nations. 2 In May 2015, the Zika virus was confirmed in the Americas and active transmission has since been reported in 33 countries and territories. 1 The following editorial addresses a practice knowledge gap by discussing what dermatologists should know about the Zika virus to ensure the safety of providers, patients, and the community.