Zika virus

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne pathogen spread primarily by Aedes mosquitoes, the same species that transmits dengue and yellow fever. The virus gained significant scientific and public health attention around 2016 when it was linked to serious birth defects, particularly microcephaly (abnormally small head size), in infants whose mothers were infected during pregnancy. While most infected adults experience mild symptoms like fever and rash, understanding Zika's transmission and effects on fetal development has become an important focus for virology and epidemiology research worldwide.