Zika virus disease and its neurological complications

Abstract

Abstract
Zika virus is a mosquito-borne avivirus identi ed in Africa in 1947. Most a ected people has no symptoms and when present they are mild and include: fever, maculopapular rash, athralgias, and myalgias. Since 2015 the virus has spread through the Americas to more than 31 countries and territories until the beginning of this year. People of all ages could be a ected by Zika including fetus. Maternal-fetal transmission has been documented. Evidence suggest that congenital Zika virus occurs when the fetus is exposed to the virus during the rst few months of gestation and is associated with microcephaly and other central nervous system malformations. Zika long term sequelae of congenital, perinatal and pediatric diseases are largely unknown. No vaccine to prevent Zika virus infection is available and the treatment is only of support. This review article is an update regarding the main epidemiologic, clinical, laboratory testing, treatment and prevention with particular attention to the neurological complications.