Zika Virus Disease and Associated Neurologic Complications

Abstract

Purpose of review: The purpose of this article is to review what is currently known about Zika virus (ZIKV) disease and associated neurologic complications.

Recent findings: ZIKV is a mosquito-borne or sexually transmitted flavivirus rapidly spreading throughout the Americas. While ZIKV infection is usually asymptomatic, it may cause a non-specific illness with fever, rash, myalgia, headache, and/or non-purulent conjunctivitis. Additionally, ZIKV has been associated with a number of neurologic complications including microcephaly and other birth defects, Guillain-Barré syndrome, meningoencephalitis, myelitis, and various ophthalmologic abnormalities. Treatment for ZIKV disease is supportive. Those in ZIKV endemic areas should protect themselves from mosquito bites by wearing insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors, and/or using air conditioning or window screens when indoors. Furthermore, unprotected sexual intercourse should be temporarily avoided by those who recently traveled to endemic areas. Suspected ZIKV disease cases should be reported to local, state, or territorial health departments.

Keywords: Arbovirus; Flavivirus; Guillain-Barré syndrome; Neurologic; Zika; Zika virus.