Zika
Zika is a virus spread mainly by mosquito bites that causes outbreaks in tropical and subtropical regions, with special risks for pregnant women and their babies.
Snapshot: 9/21/2026, 3:30:49 PM · 1 tracked locations · 9,312 active cases (dataset)
At a glance
Quick facts
- How it spreads
- Urban Aedes species bridge human-to-human transmission cycles in endemic areas.
- How serious
- About 0.2 of every 100 confirmed cases died
- Where it's active
- Highest current burden: Colombia (CO).
- Vaccine / treatment
- Prevention combines personal protection against bites (repellents, clothing, bed nets where appropriate), community vector source reduction, and travel advisories for pregnant individuals in high-transmission settings.
Important
Virus Tracker provides aggregated outbreak monitoring for education and situational awareness. It is not medical advice, a diagnostic service, or a substitute for guidance from qualified health professionals or official public health agencies. Always consult licensed clinicians and authoritative sources for personal health decisions.
Overview
Zika virus was recognized internationally after large outbreaks in the Americas. Many infections are mild or asymptomatic, which complicates case detection. The virus is transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes and can also spread through sexual contact and blood products. Historical associations with congenital Zika syndrome underscore why pregnancy-related guidance differs from general population messaging. Virus Tracker highlights regional counts and trajectory-style signals where data exists, helping teams prioritize vector control partnerships and traveler education.
Transmission
Urban Aedes species bridge human-to-human transmission cycles in endemic areas. Travelers can introduce virus into receptive regions with competent vectors. Sexual transmission has been documented; blood safety measures address transfusion risk. Vertical transmission from mother to fetus is a critical public health concern during outbreaks. Seasonal rainfall and temperature influence vector abundance and biting rates.
Symptoms & clinical notes
Typical illness includes rash, fever, conjunctivitis, arthralgia, and myalgia, often lasting days to a week. Neurologic complications such as Guillain-Barré syndrome have been reported rarely. Infection during pregnancy can lead to severe fetal outcomes; screening protocols depend on local epidemiology and clinical guidance.
Prevention & control
Prevention combines personal protection against bites (repellents, clothing, bed nets where appropriate), community vector source reduction, and travel advisories for pregnant individuals in high-transmission settings. Integrated mosquito management programs are more effective than single interventions. There is no universally deployed vaccine for all populations as of typical open-data timelines; check current national recommendations.
Surveillance context
Programs may include clinical case reporting, sentinel surveillance, serosurveys, and entomological monitoring. Cross-border coordination matters because vectors do not respect borders. Virus Tracker aggregates open metrics to visualize relative regional burden but should be paired with entomological risk assessments for operational response.
Live dataset
Key metrics
Active cases
9.3K
Deaths
102
How fast it's spreading
23.9%
RisingZika — global infection heat map
Country shading reflects relative active-case intensity from the current Virus Tracker dataset for this pathogen. Hover countries on desktop for counts.
Darker red = more people currently sick.
Live dataset
Trajectory outlook
Projected case trend with a modeled confidence range.
Projected case trajectory for Zika, with a shaded confidence range, based on the current Virus Tracker dataset.
Illustrative estimateLive dataset
Top regions by active cases
The 1 tracked location with the most active Zika cases in the current dataset.
Top 1 tracked location for Zika by active cases, ranked highest to lowest.
Live dataset
Threat intelligence visuals
Threat matrix
How fast vs. how deadly
Each bubble is a threat. Bigger bubbles mean more people are currently sick.
Where this data comes from
11 of 15 sources are reporting normally.
- 11 healthy sourcesHealthy
- 4 sources downDown
- Data reliability
- 40%
- Confidence-adjusted exposure
- 3.7K
Overall threat level
Where it's hitting hardest
- Colombia9.3K active · score 22.0
Dataset
Top affected regions
| Location | Active | Deaths | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia (CO) | 9,312 | 102 | Stable |
Frequently asked questions
How do people catch Zika?
Most infections come from the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. It can also spread through sexual contact and, rarely, from a pregnant woman to her fetus.
Is there a vaccine for Zika?
No vaccine is broadly available yet. Prevention relies on avoiding mosquito bites and reducing breeding sites near homes.
Why is Zika especially concerning during pregnancy?
Infection during pregnancy has been linked to serious birth defects, including microcephaly. Pregnant travelers are advised to avoid areas with active Zika transmission when possible.
Is this page medical advice?
Virus Tracker provides aggregated outbreak monitoring for education and situational awareness. It is not medical advice, a diagnostic service, or a substitute for guidance from qualified health professionals or official public health agencies. Always consult licensed clinicians and authoritative sources for personal health decisions.
What does "outbreak activity" mean on Virus Tracker?
Outbreak activity reflects active-case burden relative to recoveries in our models. It helps compare stressed outbreak zones within the dataset—it is not a clinical score.
How often is this wiki updated?
Figures refresh on the site’s ingestion and revalidation schedule (typically about every 30 minutes in production). Timestamps on the dashboard snapshot indicate the last build of the underlying dataset.
Why might the heat map not match official government totals?
We merge multiple open sources and fallbacks; reporting lag, testing policy, and geographic coverage differ by country. Use national health ministries for authoritative case definitions.
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