The Zika virus was discovered in the Zika forest of  Uganda in 1947.  Zika virus is a member of the flavivirus family. Dengue, yellow fever, and West Nile fever are also flaviviruses.   Zika virus is primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Zika virus, like HIV can cause  Viremia.  VIREMIA   is  is a process by which a virus enter into the bloodstream and  can be transmitted from the infected pregnant woman to her developing fetus during pregnancy.   This can result  in microcephaly and other serious birth defects due to Intracranial calcifications ofthe brain.

The  Aedes aegypti zika virus can  also  spread through intercourse or blood transfusion. Most people who become infected with Zika virus do not become sick. For the 20 percent of people who do develop symptoms, the illness is generally mild and includes fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis (red eyes). Illness lasts several days to a week.   Research have still to determine precisely how long the virus remains dormant in the body.