Zika virus is a disease spread primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito, specifically, Aedes species mosquito. These are the same mosquitoes that spread other viruses such as dengue and chikungunya.

The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito.  People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital, and death is rare. There is no vaccine to prevent or specific medicine to treat Zika virus. 

During pregnancy, Zika virus can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly, as well as other severe fetal brain defects, and Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

Though Zika is primarily a mosquito-borne virus, it can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus.  It can also be spread through sex. If individuals have traveled to Zika-infected areas and suspect they have become infected with the virus, it is recommended that they use safe-sex practices and notify their healthcare provider for further evaluation.  

If you wish to view case-counts in Texas for 2018 and for previous years, click here.

Learn more about Zika from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.