DISEASE NAME:
Zika virus infection
CATEGORY:
Vectorborne
Zika virus infection
Zika is a viral infection that usually causes a mild illness that typically lasts between 2 to 7 days. 80% of people who become infected by Zika virus have no symptoms. Zika virus is spread through the bite of a mosquito that is in certain countries.
Infection with Zika virus has been strongly linked with a serious birth condition called microcephaly. Microcephaly means a baby born with an unusually small head. In these cases, the baby’s brain may not have formed properly during pregnancy. An increase in cases of a neurological illness (called Guillan Barre Syndrome) have also been reported in areas where Zika virus outbreaks have occurred.
Zika virus infection is a notifiable disease under the Infectious Disease Regulations. Cases should be notified to the Medical Officer of Health.
- Frequently Asked Questions for the General Public
- Frequently Asked Questions: Zika Virus and Pregnancy
- Guidance for healthcare professionals
- Case definitions
- Surveillance forms
Zika is a viral infection that usually causes a mild illness that typically lasts between 2 and 7 days. 80% of people who become infected by Zika virus have no symptoms. Zika virus is spread through the bite of a mosquito that is in certain countries.
Infection with Zika virus has been strongly linked with a serious birth condition called microcephaly.
Case Definitions
Clinical criteria
A person presenting with a rash, with or without fever AND at least one of the following signs and symptoms:
- Arthralgia or
- Myalgia or
- Non-purulent conjunctivitis/hyperaemia
Laboratory criteria
Laboratory criteria for a probable case
Detection of Zika specific IgM antibodies in serum
Laboratory criteria for a confirmed case
At least one of the following:
- Detection of Zika virus nucleic acid in a clinical specimen;
- Detection of Zika virus antigen in a clinical specimen;
- Isolation of Zika virus from a clinical specimen;
- Detection of Zika virus specific IgM antibodies and confirmation using suitably validated flavivirus serological assays;
- Sero-conversion or four-fold increase in the titre of Zika specific antibodies in acute and convalescent serum samples.
Epidemiological criteria
History of exposure in an area with transmission of Zika within two weeks prior to onset of symptoms OR
Sexual contact with a confirmed case of Zika virus infection in the past eight weeks
OR
Sexual contact with a person who had been in an area with Zika virus transmission in the past eight weeks.
A list of Zika affected areas is kept updated on the HPSC website.
Case classification
A. Possible case
NA
B. Probable case
A person meeting the clinical criteria and the epidemiological criteria. A person meeting the laboratory criteria for a probable case.
C. Confirmed case
A person meeting the laboratory criteria for a confirmed case.
Current as of: 24 January 2019
Information, Data and Reports for Zika virus infection
Ireland’s specialist service for the surveillance of communicable diseases.