Key points
- There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat Zika virus infection.
- Patients with suspected Zika virus disease should be evaluated and managed for possible dengue or chikungunya.
- People who are pregnant with laboratory evidence of Zika virus infection should be closely monitored during pregnancy.
- Advise your patients to prevent mosquito bites during travel.
Treatment
There are no antiviral treatments available for Zika virus disease. Treatment is generally supportive and can include rest, fluids, and use of analgesics and antipyretics.
Because of similar geographic distribution and symptoms, patients with suspected Zika virus infections also should be evaluated and managed for possible dengue or chikungunya virus infection. Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be avoided until dengue can be ruled out to reduce the risk of hemorrhage. People infected with Zika, chikungunya, or dengue virus should avoid mosquito exposure during the first few days of illness to prevent other mosquitoes from becoming infected and reduce the risk of further transmission.
Carefully monitor people who are pregnant with laboratory evidence of Zika virus infection. Closely manage these patients during pregnancy and carefully evaluate live-born infants for clinical features associated with intrauterine infection. See guidance for the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of infants with possible congenital Zika virus infections.
Prevention
No vaccine or preventive drug is available for Zika virus. All travelers to areas with possible Zika virus transmission should take steps to avoid mosquito bites during the day and night to prevent Zika virus and other vector-borne infections.
Patients with possible exposure to Zika virus should be advised to reduce the risk of sexual transmission through abstinence or using condoms.