Te huaketo Zika Zika virus

Zika is a virus mainly spread by mosquito bites. The mosquitoes that spread Zika virus are not normally found in Aotearoa New Zealand. Local cases are rare. However, it can also be spread sexually, through blood and blood products, and from a pregnant person with the virus to their unborn pēpi (baby).

Cases of Zika overseas

While cases of Zika are rare in Aotearoa, it is currently circulating in many tropical and subtropical countries.

If you have travelled to a place where there is Zika and you have been bitten by mosquitoes, you may be at risk from Zika infection.

Symptoms of Zika virus

Most people with Zika do not have any symptoms. Only 1 in 5 people will develop symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they are often mild and last from 4 to 7 days.

Symptoms can include:

  • low-grade fever
  • joint pain, especially in the small joints of the hands and feet, with possible swelling
  • muscle pain 
  • headache
  • red eyes
  • rash.

If you do get symptoms, they will likely show within a few days to a week after being infected — but they can take up to 12 days to appear. 

Guillain-Barré syndrome

There are also concerns that the Zika virus can lead to Guillain-Barré syndrome. This is a serious neurological disorder, caused by the immune system reacting to Zika. If you have any of the symptoms listed, contact your local doctor or healthcare provider.

Spreading Zika virus through sex

While the Zika virus is mostly spread through mosquito bites, it can also be spread through sex and sexual contact. This includes:

  • vaginal sex
  • anal sex
  • oral sex
  • sharing sex toys between people.

People infected with the Zika virus can spread it through having sex or sexual contact with another person only once, even if they do not have any symptoms.

  • Men can pass Zika on to others through sex or sexual contact up to 3 months after being infected.
  • Women can pass Zika on to others up to 2 months after being infected.

The difference in timeframes is because the Zika virus can stay in semen longer than in other body fluids.

Pregnancy and Zika virus

For most people Zika symptoms are mild. But it can cause serious problems if you are pregnant, or trying to get pregnant.

Infection during pregnancy can be passed to your unborn pēpi (baby). This can cause serious birth defects, such as microcephaly, and other serious brain abnormalities. 

If you are pregnant, or trying to get pregnant

If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, it is recommended that you and your partner delay travelling to a place that has positive Zika cases.

If you or your partner do have to travel to a place that puts you at risk of Zika:

  • protect yourself against mosquito bites
  • use contraception to prevent pregnancy during your visit. 

If a pregnant person or their partner travels to an area affected by Zika, they should:

  • avoid oral, vaginal, or anal sex, or
  • use condoms for the entire duration of the pregnancy.

Upon returning from a place where the Zika virus is present

  • Women should monitor for symptoms and avoid getting pregnant for a further 2 months — regardless of whether they have symptoms or not. If a woman has symptoms, they should avoid getting pregnant for 2 months from when symptoms started, or Zika was first diagnosed.
  • Men should monitor for symptoms and use condoms to avoid pregnancy for a further 3 months — regardless of whether they have symptoms or not. If a man has symptoms, they should use condoms to avoid pregnancy for 3 months from when symptoms started, or Zika was first diagnosed.

Speak to your doctor or midwife if you or your partner have recently travelled to an area with Zika, even if you do not feel sick. It is especially important if you experience any Zika symptoms while you are travelling, or within 2 weeks after travelling.

What to do if you or your partner are pregnant, or trying to get pregnant

1. Are you a male or female traveller?

Diagnosing Zika virus

If at any point you feel unwell after travelling to another country, and you suspect Zika, see your doctor or local healthcare provider. They will examine you and ask about your symptoms and travel history. 

Treating Zika virus

There are no specific treatments for Zika virus. Your symptoms will typically clear up after 4 to 7 days.

You can use paracetamol for pain and fever. Do not take aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen until a healthcare provider rules out other illnesses like dengue fever. This is because there is a risk of bleeding.

Get plenty of rest, and drink lots of fluids. Always follow the advice or your doctor or local healthcare provider. 

Preventing Zika virus

There is no vaccine for Zika virus.

Because it is mostly spread by a certain type of mosquito, the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being bitten. This is especially important and recommended if you are travelling to any tropical or subtropical region, for example, the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia, where there specific mosquitoes can be found. 

Avoiding insect bites while travelling (internal link).

The best way to reduce the possibility of spreading the Zika virus through sex or sexual contact is to:

  • avoid vaginal, anal, and oral sex
  • not share sex toys between people
  • use condoms.