Zika virus outbreak timeline

[9] Zika is generally found in mosquitoes and monkeys in a band of countries stretching across equatorial Africa)[10] and Asia (Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia).

[11][12][13] The first confirmed case of Zika fever in a human occurs in Uganda during 1964 in a field researcher, who experiences a mild, non-itchy rash.

[4] Federated States of Micronesia The first major outbreak is identified outside of Africa and Asia, on Yap Island.

[11][14] Approximately 5,005 people, more than 70% of the population of 7,391, were infected with Zika, and generally exhibited mild symptoms; no cases of microcephaly were reported.

[12] United States The first case of sexual transmission is reported, that of a scientist who had fallen ill in Senegal who thereafter infected his wife.

[22] French Polynesia On 20 March, researchers discover that two mothers and their newborns test positive for Zika, perinatal transmission confirmed by polymerase chain reaction performed on serum collected within four days of birth during the outbreak.

[24] This indicated a potential risk of transmission of the Zika virus through blood transfusions, but there were no confirmed cases of this occurring.

[25] French Polynesia On 13 December, a patient recovering from Zika infection on Tahiti seeks treatment for bloody sperm.

Subsequent genetic analysis of Brazilian Zika genomes suggest that virus may have been circulating undetected for over 1 year in Brazil.

[37][43] United Nations On 17 November, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), under the aegis of the WHO, issues an Epidemiological Alert regarding the increase in microcephaly cases in northeastern Brazil.

[50] United Nations On 1 December, PAHO releases a report noting the possible connection between the Zika virus and the rise in neurological syndromes.

[52] United States On 17 January, a baby is born in Hawaii with the Zika virus and microcephaly, the first such case reported in the U.S.; the mother had lived in Brazil in May the previous year.

[55] United Nations On 1 February, the WHO declares the Zika virus outbreak to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

[57] United States On 11 February, the CDC releases preliminary guidelines regarding the sexual transmission of Zika.

[58] United Nations On 12 February, the WHO advises pregnant women to avoid travel to areas where the transmission of the Zika virus is active.

[59] United States On 12 February, the CDC releases a Level 2 (Practice Enhanced Precautions) travel notice.

[61] United States On 24 March, a genetics study published in Science suggests that the Zika virus had arrived in Brazil between May and December 2013.

[62] United States On 30 March, the New England Journal of Medicine published "Zika Virus Infection with Prolonged Maternal Viremia and Fetal Brain Abnormalities," which documents the destruction of a fetal brain by Zika in detail; the Finnish mother had been infected in the 11th gestational week whilst travelling in Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize.

[67] United States On 13 May 2016, the CDC begins to recommend testing urine for clues to Zika infection.

Singapore's authorities step up prevention efforts including checking at-risk dormitories and spreading insect repellent.