Overview
Zika virus disease (also called Zika fever or simply Zika) is an infectious disease caused by the Zika virus, which is primarily spread through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes — the same type of mosquito that spreads dengue and chikungunya. The virus can also be transmitted from a pregnant mother to her unborn baby, through sexual contact, and through blood transfusions. Most people infected with Zika virus have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, they typically include fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes (conjunctivitis), lasting several days to a week. While the illness itself is usually mild in adults, Zika gained worldwide attention because of its devastating effects during pregnancy. Infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects, most notably microcephaly (an abnormally small head) and other brain abnormalities in the developing baby, collectively known as congenital Zika syndrome. In rare cases, Zika infection in adults can trigger Guillain-Barré syndrome, a condition where the immune system attacks the nerves, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. There is currently no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for Zika virus disease. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms with rest, fluids, and pain relievers like acetaminophen. Prevention through mosquito control and bite avoidance remains the most important strategy.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Low-grade feverSkin rash, often itchy and spreading across the bodyJoint pain, especially in the hands and feetRed or pink eyes (conjunctivitis) without pusMuscle painHeadachePain behind the eyesFatigue and general tirednessSwollen jointsAbdominal painNausea or vomitingIn newborns: abnormally small head (microcephaly)In newborns: vision and hearing problemsIn rare cases: muscle weakness from Guillain-Barré syndrome
Clinical phenotype terms (34)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsHenry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine — PHASE1
Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati — NA
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) — PHASE1
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston — NA
Massachusetts General Hospital — NA
University of California, San Diego — NA
Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute — PHASE4
Chinese University of Hong Kong — NA
Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation — NA
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
4 availableEBANGA�
treatment of infection caused by Zaire ebolavirus in adult and pediatric patients, including neonates born to a mother who is RT-PCR positive for Zaire ebolavirus infection
Viread
in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older weighing at least 10 kg
Retrovir
Treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) infection in combination with other antiretroviral agents
Biktarvy
BIKTARVY is indicated as a complete regimen for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in adults and pediatric patients weighing at least 14 kg: who have no antiretrovi…
BIKTARVY is indicated as a complete regimen for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in adults and pediatric patients weighing at least 14 kg: who have no antiretroviral treatment history or to replace the current antiretroviral regimen in those who are virologically-suppressed (HIV-1 RNA less than 50 copies per mL) on a stable antiretroviral regimen with no known or suspected substitutions associated with resistance to bictegravir or tenofovir
Rare Disease Specialist
Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia
📍 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
👤 Study Director
👤 Richard Neibeger, MD
Nationwide Children's Hospital
📍 Columbus, Ohio
University of Pennsylvania
📍 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
University of Utah
📍 Salt Lake City, Utah
👤 Anthony A. Amato, MD
👤 Richard Neibeger, MD
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
📍 Houston, Texas
👤 Alia Warner, Ph.D.
Harvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
Financial Resources
2 resourcesTravel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Zika virus disease.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Zika virus disease
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Screening for LID Clinical Studies Unit Healthy Volunteer Protocols
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Zika virus disease
New trial: Screen Smart: Using Digital Health to Improve HIV Screening and Prevention
Phase NA trial recruiting. Universal Opt-out HIV Screening
New trial: Ex Vivo Characterization and Targeting of the Latent HIV Infected Reservoir to Cure HIV
Phase NA trial recruiting.
New trial: MAPS PrEP Van Study
Phase PHASE4 trial recruiting. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
New trial: Women Focused Encounters for Resilience Independence Strength and Eudaimonia
Phase NA trial recruiting. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
New trial: HIV-HEART Aging Study
Phase NA trial recruiting.
New trial: Differentiated Service Delivery (DSD) for People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and Comorbidities
Phase NA trial recruiting.
New trial: Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability Study of Long-acting Cabotegravir Plus Long-acting Rilpivirine (CA
Phase PHASE3 trial recruiting. Cabotegravir Tablets
New trial: CAR-T Cells for HIV Infection
Phase PHASE1 trial recruiting. Cyclophosphamide
New trial: A Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Immunogenicity of CH505M5 N197D mRNA-gp160 Followed by C
Phase PHASE1 trial recruiting. CH505M5 N197D mRNA-gp160
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How can I confirm whether I have Zika virus or a similar infection like dengue?,I am pregnant — what monitoring and testing do you recommend for my baby?,How long should I wait before trying to become pregnant after a Zika infection or exposure?,What signs of Guillain-Barré syndrome should I watch for, and when should I go to the emergency room?,Can I still transmit the virus to others, and for how long should I take precautions?,What developmental screenings and specialist referrals does my baby need if born with congenital Zika syndrome?,Are there any clinical trials for Zika vaccines or treatments that I could participate in?
Common questions about Zika virus disease
What is Zika virus disease?
Zika virus disease (also called Zika fever or simply Zika) is an infectious disease caused by the Zika virus, which is primarily spread through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes — the same type of mosquito that spreads dengue and chikungunya. The virus can also be transmitted from a pregnant mother to her unborn baby, through sexual contact, and through blood transfusions. Most people infected with Zika virus have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, they typically include fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes (conjunctivitis), lasting several days to a week. While
How is Zika virus disease inherited?
Zika virus disease follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Are there clinical trials for Zika virus disease?
Yes — 3 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Zika virus disease on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Zika virus disease?
25 specialists and care centers treating Zika virus disease are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.
What treatment and support options exist for Zika virus disease?
3 patient support programs are currently tracked on UniteRare for Zika virus disease. See the treatments and support programs sections for copay assistance, eligibility, and contact details.