(Ae​des Mosquito)

 Zika Virus Basics:

Zika virus is a virus spread to people through mosquito bites of Aedes species mosquitoes; sexual transmission of Zika virus is also known to occur.  Aedes mosquitoes also spread dengue and chikungunya viruses.  Outbreaks of Zika virus disease have occurred in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands.  There have been reports of limited, local mosquito-borne transmission of Zika virus in certain areas of the United States; however, no local mosquito-borne transmission of Zika virus has been identified in Maryland at this time.  The species of Aedes mosquito responsible for most Zika virus transmission, Ae​des aegypti, is not commonly found in Maryland.

The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon.  More information about Zika can be found on the MDH Zika Virus Fact Sheet.

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