Pediatric Infection & Vaccine  2016;23(1):1-9

doi:10.14776/piv.2016.23.1.1

Zika Virus Infection: Perspectives as a Specialist of Pediatric Infectious Diseases.

Ki Wook YUN 1

Affiliations

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Keywords

Zika virus; Mosquito; Congenital infection; Microcephaly; Guillain-Barré syndrome

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

The Zika virus, a flavivirus related to dengue and Japanese encephalitis was discovered in the Zika forest in Uganda, 1947. Since Zika virus was first reported in Brazil in May 2015, infections have occurred in at least 40 countries, especially in the Americas. Zika virus infection usually is asymptomatic or causes mild illness, but may be related to severe clinical manifestations, particularly microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Although the possibility of autochthonous Zika virus transmission in South Korea is low, the imported cases and Zika virus-transmitting mosquito should be adequately monitored and promptly managed. In addition, enhancing preparedness for Zika virus infection are needed.