Zika Virus

Zika virus is a virus similar to dengue, yellow fever, and West Nile and is primarily transmitted through mosquitoes and sex. The Zika virus outbreak in the Caribbean, and Central and South Americas has led to reports of pregnant women giving birth to babies with birth defects, poor pregnancy outcomes, and Guillain-Barre syndrome.

• If you have returned from a country where Zika virus is circulating and you have symptoms of Zika virus in the two weeks following your return, call your doctor and report your travel history and symptoms.
• If you are a doctor seeing a symptomatic patient who has traveled to a country where Zika virus is circulating, please contact your local health department to discuss possible Zika virus testing.
• The IDPH Zika Virus Action Plan outlines how IDPH environmental health, communicable disease, laboratory, preparedness and response, women’s health and family services, and communications staff will work with local health departments, blood supply centers, and other partners to verify local transmission of Zika virus, inform the public, and prevent further spread.