Advantage of urine based molecular diagnosis of Zika virus

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is an emerging global health concern, and diagnostic recommendations are currently developing based on new information. Several case or small sample size studies using both urine and blood samples suggest that ZIKV RNA can be detected at higher levels and for a longer time after onset of infection in urine compared to blood. We recommend that urine and serum collection for molecular testing be a standard part of evaluating patients for ZIKV infection, and that urine is a good alternative testing sample when blood collection is problematic.