Zika Virus: Relevance to the State of Hawai‘i

摘要

Zika virus (ZIKV) is spread among human populations primarily through the bite of Aedes mosquitoes. While most ZIKV infections are asymptomatic or cause self-limited symptoms, the major concerns are its association with Guillain-Barré Syndrome and fetal microcephaly together with other birth defects, known as congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). This article reviews the confirmed Zika cases in the continental United States (U.S.) and Hawaii thus far, as well as literature of Zika research relevant to Hawaii. The first case of CZS within the U.S. was reported in Hawaii, highlighting the unique position of Hawaii for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Recent studies of the Zika outbreak in Florida demonstrate the key role of Ae. aegypti mosquito in transmission; continuous and proactive vector surveillance in Hawaii is warranted.