Its already aconcern for travelers, and theWorld Health Organizationconsiders the epidemic aglobal emergency.
Dont freak out, but do stock up on bug spray.
What is Zika and Why Are People Worried About It?
Zika might cause brain damage in newborns if their mothers contract the virus while pregnant.
The good news is that Zika and its complications are rare.
Pregnant or not, you may suffer annoying but not life-threatening symptoms if you catch the virus.
Its a member of theFlavivirusgenus, making it a relative ofyellow fever,chikungunya, anddengueviruses.
Like them, its transmitted by mosquito bites.
Zika can also be transmitted sexually.
Until recently, nobody was very concerned about Zika.
It was rare, and it wasnt associated with serious complications.
What Does Zika Do to Babies?
That condition is calledmicrocephaly, and its the main reason people are concerned about Zika right now.
Babies affected by the virushave other problems besides just small heads.
Zika can also cause problems with a babys placenta, and can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth.
If you are pregnant and get Zika, we dont know how likely your baby is to be affected.
In 2013 and 2014, French Polynesia had a Zika outbreak.
The current outbreak in South America seems to have a higher rate of complications.
One thing we knowisntcausing microcephaly is a Monsanto conspiracy.
Neither is true or even plausible.
The pesticide concern is also patently false.
Im Not a Pregnant Woman.
We also dont know if men who never had symptoms can still transmit the virus.
Dating tip: Been on any interesting vacations lately?
is a great conversation starter.
You dont have to be pregnant to experience the viruss other possible complication,Guillain-Barre syndrome(GBS).
This is a rare condition where a persons immune system attacks their nerve cells.
How Can I Avoid Zika?
If you cant help living in a Zika-affected area, though, stock up on condoms and bug spray.
If youre a woman who doesnt intend to be pregnant, confirm youreon top of your birth control game.
Women who get symptoms of Zika should wait at least eight weeks before trying to conceive.
Mosquitoes are the most common source of Zika infection.
Some brands with picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus work well too.
Where Am I Most at Risk?
Is Zika Coming to the US?
TheCDCs list of Zika-affected areas is here.
It currently includes 25 countries and territories in the Americas, plus a few islands elsewhere in the world.
Mexico and a good chunk of South America are included.
Suspected microcephaly cases are highlighted below.
The northeast corner of the country is where the problem seems to be centered.
Other areas are less affected.
Zika virus and its relatives aretransmitted by mosquitoes, mainly the species calledAedes aegypti.
It has little white spots on it, and bites during the day.
So its possible that Zika and these other virusescancome to the US.
(If youdontkeep your yard free of standing water, like go out and dump that birdbath.
Youre breeding mosquitoes for the whole neighborhood.)
How Would I Find Out if My Baby Has Zika?
(Vox has translated them into flowchart form here.)
The suggestions include:
Sending a blood sample to the state health department for testing.
This works best within a week of infection.
Considering amniocentesis, which means taking a sample of the amniotic fluid surrounding a baby.
The fluid can then be tested for Zika.
Microcephaly also often cant be detected by ultrasound until 24 weeks or laterafter moststates cutoffs for legal abortion.
How Will Zika Affect Children as They Grow Up?
Microcephaly is a box of surprises,writes journalist Ana Caceras for the BBC.
Doctors told her mother she would never walk or talk, but they were wrong.
Brazils casesseem to include many of the more severe cases.
Zika might do the same.
What Are Governments and Scientists Planning to Do About This?
Brazil and El Salvador have recommended that women who live there delay pregnancyin El Salvadors case, until 2018.
But thats not easy advice for residents to follow.
Without a good test, its hard to know who needs treatment or how big the problem even is.
Controlling mosquitoes wouldnt just reduce the spread of Zika.
The same mosquitoes also carry other viruses like dengue, so its a good public health measure all around.
With luck, well have better answers to all of Zikas unknowns in the coming years.
The babies with microcephaly will begin to grow up, and well learn how severely affected they really are.
Over time, the therapists working with those babies will figure out the best ways to help them.
For now, its hard to say exactly how big a deal Zika is, but were learning.
Because its so rare, you dont need to freak out.
But since the complications can be serious, its wise to take extra precautions.
Updated 2/3/2016to reflect anew finding of sexual transmission of Zikain Texas.
Illustration by Jim Cooke.
