A recent study detected Zika virus (ZIKV) in Pakistan, surprisingly linked to lineages originating from Brazil in 2016. The discovery occurred during an investigation into a febrile outbreak in Karachi (2021–2022), which also revealed co-circulation of dengue virus serotype 2.
🔍 Key findings:
- Identification of Zika cases and dengue–zika co-infections.
- The detected ZIKV is unrelated to neighboring countries, belonging instead to an Asian lineage that emerged in Brazil in 2015.
- Evidence of endemic circulation in Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.
- Confirmation through PCR and serology, with signs of local transmission.
🌍 Public health implications:
- Zika can establish in new regions without an obvious outbreak.
- Should be included in dengue surveillance due to shared mosquito vectors.
- Globalization and climate change may support its spread.
📌 Key message: Zika remains a silent threat. Its stealthy arrival in Pakistan from South America shows that mosquito-borne diseases know no borders.
🔗 Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases, CDC (Vol. 31, No. 8, August 2025)
