Zika virus infection: global update on epidemiology and potentially associated clinical manifestations

Abstract

The years 2015–2016 have marked an important change in the epidemiology of Zika virus (ZIKV). For the first time, autochthonous transmission has been reported from continental America and the Caribbean. This has raised concern among national and international health authorities regarding its potential global spread and public health impact in countries which are already burdened with other similar vector-borne diseases such as dengue and chikungunya. Of special concern are recent reports of an increase in detected cases of congenital malformations and neurological complications spatio-temporally associated with ZIKV infection. On 1 February 2016 the WHO announced that the recent clusters of microcephaly and other neurological abnormalities reported in the Region of the Americas region constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). In view of the temporal association between neurological abnormalities and ZIKV infection, WHO has issued interim case definitions (Box 1), travel advice and recommendations for the prevention of Zika infection. In addition, WHO has developed a strategic framework for a global response ensuring that public health research areas are being prioritized and fast-tracked