Virus wiki
Zika
Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus associated with outbreaks in tropical and subtropical regions; surveillance focuses on vectors, travel-related cases, and congenital risk signals.
Snapshot: 5/10/2026, 11:00:51 AM · 1 tracked locations · 9,312 active cases (dataset)
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.
Key metrics
Active cases (dataset)
9,312
Reported deaths
102
Pressure index
23.88%
Zika — 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.
Trajectory outlook
Trajectory (14d)
Regional analysis
Top regions by active cases
Top 1 tracked locations for Zika by active cases in the current dataset.
Threat intelligence visuals
Threat Matrix
Pressure (x) vs CFR (y) with bubble size by active cases
Source Reliability
Healthy sources
4
Unhealthy sources
3
Average confidence
40.0%
Confidence exposure
3,725
Health ratio
Severity by Region
Top affected regions
| Location | Active | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Colombia (CO) | 9,312 | 102 |
FAQ
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 the pressure index mean on Virus Tracker?
Pressure index 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.