Epidemiological update: Outbreaks of Zika virus and complications potentially linked to the Zika virus infection, 12 May 2016

​​Page last updated: 17 May 2016

New developments since the last epidemiological update published on 29 April 2016

Since last update:

• On 2 May 2016 Peru reported the first autochthonous cases in the country.
• On 4 May 2016 Grenada reported its first autochthonous case.
• On 5 May, the first case of microcephaly was detected in the foetus of a mother linked to Zika virus infection (ex South America) in Spain.

On 7 May 2016 Argentina reported two autochthonous cases of mosquito-borne Zika virus. On 12 May 2016, Germany reported a case of Zika virus disease resulting from male-to-female sexual transmission. As of 12 May 2016, twenty-three cases of non-vector-borne transmission of Zika virus, probably through sexual transmission have been reported by ten countries: Argentina (1), Chile (1), France (5), Italy (1), New Zealand (1), Portugal (in the Autonomous Region of Madeira) (1), Peru (1), Canada (1), the United States of America (10) and Germany (1).

Table 1. Countries and territories with reported confirmed autochthonous cases of Zika virus infection in the past two months, as of 13 May 2016

EU/EEA and EU Outermost Regions and Territories

As of 12 May 2016, ECDC has recorded 523 imported cases in 18 EU/EEA countries. Twenty-six of the imported cases are in pregnant women. In addition, one confirmed case was published following diagnosis in a Slovenian hospital. However, the number of imported cases reported is not based on systematic surveillance system reporting and therefore cannot be considered exhaustive.

 

EU’s Outermost Regions and Territories

Martinique: As of 28 April 2016, 22 690 suspected cases have been reported, an increase of 1 740 since last week. From the beginning of the outbreak to 28 April 2016, two cases of microcephaly and one additional congenital abnormality have been reported with confirmed Zika virus infection. Additionally, 15 cases have been detected with neurological complications. Among these 12 have been confirmed with Zika virus infection, three are under investigation.

 

French Guiana: As of 28 April 2016, 5 360 suspected cases have been reported, an increase of 500 since last week. Three cases with neurological complications have been identified since the beginning of the outbreak.

Guadeloupe: As of 28 April 2016, 3 000 suspected cases have been reported, an increase of 850 suspected cases since last week. One case with neurological complications has been reported since the beginning of the outbreak.

 

St Martin: As of 28 April 2016, 235 suspected and 82 laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported – an increase of 23 suspected and 21 laboratory-confirmed cases since last week. One case has been reported with neurological complications, however this cannot be directly attributed to Zika.

 

St Barthélemy: As of 28 April 2016, ten suspected cases have been reported, with one having been laboratory-confirmed.

 

Figure 1. Countries or territories with reported confirmed autochthonous cases of Zika virus infection in the past three months, as of 11 May 2016 

Figure 2. Countries and territories with reported confirmed autochthonous cases of Zika virus infection in the past nine months, as of 17 May 2016  

Update on the observed increase of congenital Zika syndrome and other neurological complications

 
Congenital Zika syndrome and GBS

Microcephaly and other foetal malformations potentially associated with Zika virus infection or suggestive of congenital infection have been reported in Brazil (1 326 cases), Cape Verde (2 cases), Colombia (7 cases), French Polynesia (8 cases), Martinique (3 cases), Marshall Islands (1 case), Panama (5 cases), United States of America (2 cases) and Spain (1). In the context of Zika virus circulation, 13 countries or territories have reported an increased incidence of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and/or laboratory confirmation of a Zika virus infection among GBS cases.

 
Brazil Between October 2015 and as of 7 May 2016, Brazil reported more than 7 438 suspected cases of microcephaly from all states and in the federal district. Of these cases, 1 326 are reported as confirmed cases of microcephaly, 205 of which had laboratory-confirmed presence of Zika virus infection. Of the remaining cases, 2 679 were investigated and discarded as they did not fit the case definition, while 3 433 cases are under investigation.

Among the 7 438 suspected cases of microcephaly, 262 intrauterine or neonatal deaths were reported. Of these, 56 cases were investigated and confirmed (microcephaly and/or central nervous system malformations).

 

Additional information may be found in the latest ECDC Risk Assessment.