31,780 Zika Cases in the Americas in 2023

As the multi-year Zika vaccine development process continues in late 2023, the mosquito-spreading disease is impacting more people in the Region of the Americas.

As of December 2, 2023, the Pan American Health Organization's data dashboard indicates there have been 31,780 Zika cases across the Americas, with the highest proportion of Zika cases reported in Brazil, Bolivia, Belize, Columbia, Paraguay, and Venezuela.

Brazil has reported the most Zika cases in 2023, with over 30,000 confirmed cases, primarily in high precipitation areas and low sewage network coverage.

Previous studies conducted in the states of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo also indicated that temperature influenced the distribution patterns of Zika virus carrying Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes, consequently affecting the incidence of diseases they transmit.

While there have not been any Zika cases confirmed in the continental United States in 2023, two frequently visited destinations have reported locally acquired cases.

In the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, week #44 shows 43 probable Zika cases as of 2023 and 20 cases during 2022.

And in Central America, Costa Rica's Ministry of Health recently confirmed there have been 27 Zika cases confirmed this year. In 2022, there were 45 Zika cases reported in Costa Rica. 

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 25% of infected people may develop Zika symptoms, and the illness is usually mild, lasting between two and seven days,

However, Congenital Zika-associated syndrome is seen in infants born to mothers with a history of gestational Zika fever. These children may also develop microcephaly.

As of December 2023, various Zika vaccine candidates are conducting clinical trials without any indication of pending U.S. FDA approval. These trials include DNA, modified vaccinia Ankara vector platform, and purified inactivated virus vaccine technologies.