Zika
Zika is a disease caused by a virus that is spread through mosquito bites. It is found in Africa, Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Mexico, and American Samoa. Although Zika has been previously found in Florida and Texas, there is no ongoing spread in either state.
Zika is not currently found locally in Arizona; all cases to date have been travel-related. For a complete list of countries where current Zika spread is occurring, see the list of affected areas.
Zika is not currently found locally in Arizona; all cases to date have been travel-related. For a complete list of countries where current Zika spread is occurring, see the list of affected areas.
Zika is spread primarily through mosquito bites. Zika is spread to people primarily through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are found in Maricopa County and other parts of Arizona; however, we do not have mosquitoes infected with Zika. In Arizona, Zika infections have been found only in people who were infected while traveling outside the United States. These mosquitoes bite humans all day long so it is important to protect against mosquito bites whenever you are outside.
Zika can be spread in other ways, too. Zika can be spread through sex with a man or woman infected with Zika. Sex includes vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and the sharing of sex toys. Zika can spread through sex even if the person does not have symptoms at the time. Zika can also be spread from a mother to a baby during pregnancy or birth.
Zika can be spread in other ways, too. Zika can be spread through sex with a man or woman infected with Zika. Sex includes vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and the sharing of sex toys. Zika can spread through sex even if the person does not have symptoms at the time. Zika can also be spread from a mother to a baby during pregnancy or birth.
It takes 3-14 days after being bitten by a mosquito infected with Zika to develop symptoms.
Mild illness in some people. Only 1 out of 5 people with Zika will have symptoms. The people who do become sick may develop fever, rash, headache, joint pain, red eyes, or muscle pain. Individuals may experience these symptoms for several days to a week. People rarely need to visit the hospital because of their symptoms and people very rarely die from Zika.
Infection during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Babies can get Zika from their infected mothers during pregnancy or birth, even if the mother has no symptoms. Zika infection during pregnancy can cause a birth defect called microcephaly (babies born with smaller than normal heads) and other developmental defects. More information on microcephaly and other birth defects can be found on the CDC’s birth defects page.
Individuals should see a healthcare provider if they develop the symptoms described above and have visited an area where Zika is found. The provider may order blood tests to look for Zika or other similar viruses like dengue and chikungunya.
Mild illness in some people. Only 1 out of 5 people with Zika will have symptoms. The people who do become sick may develop fever, rash, headache, joint pain, red eyes, or muscle pain. Individuals may experience these symptoms for several days to a week. People rarely need to visit the hospital because of their symptoms and people very rarely die from Zika.
Infection during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Babies can get Zika from their infected mothers during pregnancy or birth, even if the mother has no symptoms. Zika infection during pregnancy can cause a birth defect called microcephaly (babies born with smaller than normal heads) and other developmental defects. More information on microcephaly and other birth defects can be found on the CDC’s birth defects page.
Individuals should see a healthcare provider if they develop the symptoms described above and have visited an area where Zika is found. The provider may order blood tests to look for Zika or other similar viruses like dengue and chikungunya.
There are no specific treatment options. Currently there are no specific medications to treat Zika or vaccines available for prevention. The best way to treat the symptoms include rest, fluids, and use of acetaminophens as needed to reduce fever and pain.
There are medications that should be avoided. Depending on where an individual has traveled, diseases other than Zika may be a possibility, such as dengue or chikungunya. These diseases often cause similar symptoms which makes it hard to tell the difference between them without a blood test. Until test results are known, individuals should not take aspirin or ibuprofen since it may increase the risk of bleeding if an individual is infected with dengue.
There are medications that should be avoided. Depending on where an individual has traveled, diseases other than Zika may be a possibility, such as dengue or chikungunya. These diseases often cause similar symptoms which makes it hard to tell the difference between them without a blood test. Until test results are known, individuals should not take aspirin or ibuprofen since it may increase the risk of bleeding if an individual is infected with dengue.
Stop the spread. Individuals returning from Zika affected areas should protect themselves from mosquito bites for at least 21 days (3 weeks) to prevent further mosquito bites and spread of the virus. During this timeframe, Zika may be found in the blood even though an individual is not experiencing any symptoms. Mosquito bites can be prevented by using insect repellent containing DEET, wearing long sleeves and pants, staying indoors when possible, and keeping windows closed or screened. Additionally, any outdoor water containers (even small ones like toys left out in the rain) should be dumped out twice a week.
Do not travel to areas with risk of Zika while pregnant. If you must travel, talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during travel.
Protect yourself during sex. Zika can be passed through sex with a man or woman infected with Zika. Sex includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex, and the sharing of sex toys. Zika can be passed before, during, and after an infected individual has symptoms. Zika may also be passed by a person infected with the virus but never shows symptoms. Condoms can reduce the chance of getting Zika from sex. Condoms include male and female condoms and should be used from start to finish, every time during sex.
Avoid or delay pregnancy. Zika can be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby during pregnancy or birth. If one or both partners live in or traveled to Zika affected area, pregnancy should be delayed if possible. Decisions about pregnancy planning are personal and complex and the circumstances will vary for women and their partners. Women and their partners should discuss pregnancy planning with a healthcare provider. As part of counseling with healthcare providers, some women and their partners living in Zika affected areas might decide to delay pregnancy.
Do not travel to areas with risk of Zika while pregnant. If you must travel, talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during travel.
Protect yourself during sex. Zika can be passed through sex with a man or woman infected with Zika. Sex includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex, and the sharing of sex toys. Zika can be passed before, during, and after an infected individual has symptoms. Zika may also be passed by a person infected with the virus but never shows symptoms. Condoms can reduce the chance of getting Zika from sex. Condoms include male and female condoms and should be used from start to finish, every time during sex.
Avoid or delay pregnancy. Zika can be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby during pregnancy or birth. If one or both partners live in or traveled to Zika affected area, pregnancy should be delayed if possible. Decisions about pregnancy planning are personal and complex and the circumstances will vary for women and their partners. Women and their partners should discuss pregnancy planning with a healthcare provider. As part of counseling with healthcare providers, some women and their partners living in Zika affected areas might decide to delay pregnancy.
General Information
- Zika Fact Sheet (English) (Spanish)
- What You Should Know About the Zika Virus (English)
- Prevent Mosquito Breeding Sites (PDF) (English and Spanish)
- Know the Facts: Chikungunya, Dengue & Zika
For Pregnant Women
- Zika Info for Pregnant Women and Moms-to-Be (English) (Spanish)
- CDC Zika and Pregnancy (multi-language printables)
For Travelers
- Don’t Bring Zika Home as a Souvenir (English and Spanish)
- Going to Mexico? Think Zika (English and Spanish)
- CDC Travel & Zika (multi-language printables)
For Community & Neighborhoods
- CDC Mosquito Control and Prevention (multi-language printables)
- Occupational Safety and Zika
Toolkits with tailored communication materials for various groups: