Letter to the Editor

How Is Zika Transmitted?

Authors: Priyanga Jayakumar, MD, Kendall Bache, MD, Steven Lippmann MD

Abstract

To the Editor: The impact of the Zika virus outbreak in 2015 created international concern. Zika belongs to the virus family flaviviridae,1 and after decades of dormancy since its discovery in Uganda in 1947, it has spread rapidly in the last 2 years. It affects approximately 1.5 million people worldwide and has caused more than 4000 known birth defects.2

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References

1. Peterson LR, Jamieson DJ, Powers AM, et al. Zika virus. N Engl J Med 2016;374:1552-1563.
 
2. Hajra A, Bandyopadhyay D, Hajra SK. Zika virus: a global threat to humanity: a comprehensive review and current developments. N Am J Med Sci 2016;8:123-128.
 
3. Rodriguez-Morales AJ, Bandeira AC, Franco-Paredes C. The expanding spectrum of modes of transmission of Zika virus: a global concern. Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob 2016;15:13.
 
4. Deckard DT, Chung WM, Brooks JT, et al. Male-to-male sexual transmission of Zika virus-Texas, January 2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016;65:372-374.
 
5. Rasmussen SA, Jamieson DJ, Honein MA, et al. Zika virus and birth defects-reviewing the evidence for causality. N Engl J Med 2016; April 13.