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are aggressive feeders, often moving rapidly from one target to another in rapid succession, and they are most active during the daytime (as opposed to other mosquito species that are most active in the early morning or twilight hours). Zika is also spread through sexual activity. This is new territory; no other vector-borne viruses have been seen to share this characteristic, so scientists are still exploring this phenomenon. Early tests suggest that the virus is active and transmissible in men longer than in women. Crossplacental infection from mother to fetus is the pathway that leads to Zika-related birth defects. However, breast milk does not appear to be a transmission pathway, so mothers in Zika-affected areas are still encouraged to breastfeed their babies. It is suspected, but not fully confirmed, that the virus may also be spread by way of contaminated blood transfusions or organ transplants. SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, AND DIAGNOSIS One of the peculiarities of Zika virus is that it is usually a totally silent infection. It can be transmitted, trigger an immune system response, and expelled, all without creating any symptoms whatsoever. Researchers suspect that this occurs in up to 80 percent of all Zika cases, which suggests that the numbers we see reported about laboratory-identified cases are probably underestimating the spread of this infection. If it causes any symptoms, Zika resembles flu: it may involve fever, headache, fatigue, and body aches. It can also cause conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye) and a sometimes- itchy rash that may appear on the face, palms, soles, extremities, or torso. C h e c k o u t A B M P 's l a t e s t n e w s a n d b l o g p o s t s . Av a i l a b l e a t w w w. a b m p . c o m . 41 1947 The Zika virus was first identified in a rhesus monkey in the Zika Forest in Uganda. 1952 First human cases are identified in Uganda; soon after it is identified across tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, and many Pacific islands. 2015 May: Zika virus is identified on the South American continent (in Brazil) for the first time. At this point, the rate of microcephaly, a birth defect associated with Zika infection, spikes to 20 times the normal rate in Brazil. 2016 February: The World Health Organization declares Zika a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. March: Zika is found to be circulating in 36 countries and territories around the globe. May: The World Health Organization declares Zika to be a global pandemic. June: 591 lab-confirmed travel-associated cases of Zika infection are identified in the United States. First baby with microcephaly related to Zika is born in Florida; the mother probably contracted the virus elsewhere. July: First cases of mosquito-borne infections are identified in the United States; this is different from cases brought to the United States by travelers to Zika-affected areas. August: First Zika-related travel advisory is issued in the United States, regarding an area near Miami, Florida. September: 3,176 cases in the continental United States, plus 17,694 cases in the US territories of Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. Travel-acquired cases have been documented in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Locally acquired cases (43 so far) have all occurred in Florida. Eighteen babies with Zika-related birth defects have been born in the continental United States so far, along with five stillbirths. Zika History Information about Zika virus is being shared on a minute-by-minute basis. By the time this magazine goes to press, it is likely that several new milestones will have been reached.