• Zika is spread mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus). These mosquitoes bite during the day and night.
• Zika can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. Infection during pregnancy can cause certain birth defects.
• There is no vaccine or medicine for Zika.

• Zika is spread mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus). These mosquitoes bite during the day and night.
• Prevent Zika by avoiding mosquito bites.
• Zika can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. Infection during pregnancy can cause certain birth defects.
• Zika can be passed through sex from a person who has Zika to his or her sex partners. Condoms can reduce the chance of getting Zika from sex. Condoms include male and female condoms.
• No vaccine is currently available.
• Since 2018, no local mosquito-borne Zika virus transmission has been reported in the continental United States.
• The mosquitoes that can spread Zika are found throughout the United States.

Prevent mosquito bites

• Zika virus is spread to people mainly through the bite of an infected mosquito.
• Mosquitoes that spread Zika and other viruses bite during the day and night.
• The best way to prevent Zika is to protect yourself from mosquito bites.
• Everyone, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, should take steps to prevent mosquito bites.
• When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Zika Can Be Passed Through Sex

Additionally, Zika can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. Zika infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly that is a sign of incomplete brain development. Doctors have also found other birth defects among fetuses and infants infected with Zika virus. It is for this reason that pregnant women are advised not to travel to areas with Zika, at all.

If you were exposed to Zika through travel or sex and are of reproductive age, it is very important for you to avoid transmission of the virus to a pregnant partner and wait to become pregnant. Visit the CDC website for specific information about how to prevent pregnancy or for women and their partners trying to become pregnant.

If you were exposed to Zika virus you may wish to ask your healthcare provider about testing for Zika virus infection. Testing is recommended for symptomatic persons who have traveled to a country with a current Zika outbreak or for symptomatic pregnant women who traveled to an area with risk of Zika outside of the U.S. and its territories. Because of the changing epidemiology of Zika and dengue, CDC does not currently recommend conducting routine Zika testing for symptomatic persons. CDC also does not recommend routine Zika virus testing for asymptomatic pregnant women living or traveling in the U.S. and its territories. Talk with your healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns about Zika testing.

Visit CDC's website for pregnant women and for women trying to get pregnant.