Prevention and Transmission
What We Know
- Zika is spread mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus). These mosquitoes bite during the day and night.
- Prevent Zika by avoiding mosquito bites.
- Zika can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. Infection during pregnancy can cause certain birth defects.
- Zika can be passed through sex from a person who has Zika to his or her sex partners. Condoms can reduce the chance of getting Zika from sex. Condoms include male and female condoms.
- No vaccine is currently available.
- Since 2018, no local mosquito-borne Zika virus transmission has been reported in the continental United States.
- The mosquitoes that can spread Zika are found throughout the United States.
What You Can Do
Protect Yourself and Others
Prevent mosquito bites, plan for travel, protect during sex, and more
Prevent Mosquito Bites
The best way to prevent Zika is to protect yourself from mosquito bites
Protect Yourself During Sex
Prevent sexual transmission of Zika, especially if you or your partner is pregnant
Plan for Travel
What to do before, during, and after your trip to protect yourself and others
Men and Zika
What men can do to stop the spread of Zika during and after travel
How Zika Spreads
Ways Zika is Spread
Zika is spread primarily by mosquito bites, but it can also spread through sex and from a pregnant woman to her fetus
Zika and Blood Transfusion
No confirmed Zika cases from blood transfusion in the US
Zika and Animals
There is no evidence that Zika virus is spread to people from contact with animals other than mosquitoes
Page last reviewed: September 20, 2021
