Zika virus outbreak in Brazil.

Area of Science:

• * Epidemiology and Virology
• * Infectious Diseases
• * Public Health

Background:

• * The Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic rapidly spread through the Americas, originating in Brazil.
• * An acute exanthematic disease linked to ZIKV was first reported in Brazil's Northeast in late 2014.
• * Co-circulation of ZIKV with dengue and Chikungunya viruses complicated disease identification.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To describe the ZIKV epidemic in Brazil and associated neurological complications.
• * To investigate the link between ZIKV infection and microcephaly in newborns.
• * To outline public health responses and future research needs.

Main Methods:

• * Clinical and epidemiological surveillance of ZIKV cases and neurological syndromes.
• * Laboratory identification of ZIKV in cerebrospinal fluid, blood, and tissue samples.
• * Monitoring of microcephaly incidence in affected regions.

Main Results:

• * ZIKV was confirmed as the causative agent of the exanthematic disease in Brazil.
• * ZIKV was detected in patients with neurological syndromes and in newborns with microcephaly and ophthalmological anomalies.
• * An estimated 440,000–1,300,000 Zika cases occurred in Brazil in 2015, with 4,783 suspected microcephaly cases.

Conclusions:

• * A strong association between ZIKV infection and microcephaly is suspected.
• * Intensified mosquito control and surveillance measures are being implemented.
• * Further studies are essential for confirming the ZIKV-microcephaly link, developing diagnostics, and creating vaccines or treatments.