From A to Zika: What you need to know about the virus

Aedes albopictus mosquito — The Zika virus is spread through mosquito bites from Aedes aegypti and the CDC is investigating whether it is also spread by Aedes albopictus, pictured here.
James Gathany | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention via AP 2003

A few months ago, very few people in the U.S. had heard of the Zika virus. Now, reports on the virus's potential effects for pregnant women are filling headlines around the world.

Two health experts joined MPR News host Kerri Miller to address the public's most pressing questions. Paul Roepe, co-director of the Georgetown Center for Infectious disease, and Kristy Murray, associate professor of Pediatrics - Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, joined MPR News host Kerri Miller.

To hear the full discussion of the Zika virus, including how the virus is spread and how climate change may play a role, use the audio player above.

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Highlights

Is there a vaccine coming?

Research on the Zika virus has only recently kicked into high gear, even though the virus was first identified in the 1940s.

"Best case scenario: 10 years out for a clinically viable vaccine," Roepe said. "We'll see some science in the next several years ... but actually getting it into the clinic will take a little longer than that."

Are children at risk?

"The best we know, children are no more and no less susceptible to Zika infection or the consequences of the symptoms than non-pregnant adults," Roepe said.

Should I change my travel plans?

Some travelers with airplane tickets booked for places where the Zika virus is spreading have expressed concerns. Roepe said, for non-pregnant adults, the virus shouldn't dissuade travelers any more than other viruses do.

"If you weren't going to compromise your travel plans based on Dengue fever or other things we're talking about, then I'm not sure the addition of Zika is going to change that. That would just be my feeling," Roepe said.

Is the Zika virus the cause of microcephaly in babies?

Studies are still under way to find a concrete link between the virus and microcephaly, the birth defect featured in much of the Zika news coverage. But microcephaly can be caused by other factors.

"There were 2,500 cases of microcephaly in the U.S. in 2015, and we don't have Zika transmission on our shores yet. The most common causes in the U.S. are other viruses," Roepe said. "You can cause microcephaly with excessive alcohol exposure and other toxins and drugs, and so on. So it's not just Zika virus that causes microcephaly."