3. Clinical presentation of ZIKAV disease
Before 2013, ZIKAV infection had been described as a mild, self-limiting illness associated with fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis [2]. Other clinical presentations have been described in association with ZIKAV infection during the current outbreak.
The incubation period for ZIKAV is unknown but the symptoms may appear within 3–12 days after the infected mosquito bite and may resolve within 7 days [65]. The illness is usually mild and 80% of cases of ZIKAV infection may be asymptomatic [1]. Symptoms and signs of ZIKAV may include “low-grade fever, maculopapular rash, arthralgia, conjunctivitis, malaise, myalgia, retro-orbital pain and asthenia” [23], [66] and [67]. Rarely, other features such as nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, mucus membrane ulceration and pruritus may occur [68]. Thrombocytopenia has been noted in case reports [69] and [70]. The symptoms of ZIKAV infection usually resolve within 7 days. Severe disease is uncommon, hospitalization is not usually required and the case fatality rate is low [71] and [72].