title: Zika Virus: Implications for Public Health.
abstract: The World Health Organization has declared the current Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic a public health emergency of international concern. Lack of vaccines and reliable diagnostic tests, broad geographical distribution of mosquito species that can transmit the virus, and absence of population immunity in newly affected countries are causes for concern. Although most infected persons are asymptomatic, ZIKV has been associated with a rise in cases of neurological complications and fetal central nervous system malformations. This defines such an arbovirus as something whose transmission should be prevented. This review summarizes the current understanding of ZIKV biology and epidemiology, as well as possible interventions to prevent contagion and transmission.
authors.affiliation: North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Focosi
authors.affiliation: Virology Unit, Pisa University Hospital.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Maggi
authors.affiliation: Virology Unit, Pisa University Hospital Department of Translational Research, Retrovirus Center and Virology Section, University of Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pistello
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health; D000071244:Zika Virus / Q000502:physiology*; D000071243:Zika Virus Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission
keywords: Aedes aegypti; Aedes albopictus; ZIKAV; Zika virus; microcephaly