Emergence of Zika Virus

Zika virus was first described in the 1940s. During more than all of a century, less than 20 human infections have been reported. Emergence of Zika virus started with a first outbreak in the Pacific area in 2007 (Federated States of Micronesia), a second large outbreak occurred in the Pacific in 2013/2014 (French Polynesia) and subsequently the virus spread in other Pacific Islands. Zika virus emerged in the Americas (Brazil) in 2015. Emergence of Zika virus in the Pacific was associated with the description of severe neurological complications.