Incidence of Zika Virus Disease by Age and Sex — Puerto Rico, November 1, 2015–October 20, 2016

• DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6544a4
• Publication Date: 2016-11-10T15:59:00Z
• Authors: Matthew Lozier; Laura Adams; Mitchelle Flores ...; Jomil Torres-Aponte; Melissa Bello-Pagan; Kyle R. Ryff; Jorge Munoz-Jordan; Myriam Garcia; Aidsa Rivera; Jennifer S. Read; Stephen H. Waterman; Tyler M. Sharp; Brenda Rivera-Garcia
• Keywords: Zika Virus; Microcephaly; Flavivirus; Maculopapular rash

Zika virus is a flavivirus transmitted primarily by Aedes species mosquitoes; symptoms of infection include rash, arthralgia, fever, and conjunctivitis.*,† during pregnancy can cause microcephaly other serious brain anomalies (1), in rare cases, has been associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome (2) severe thrombocytopenia (3). This report describes the incidence reported symptomatic disease U.S. territory Puerto Rico age sex. During November 1, 2015-October 20, 2016, 62,500 suspected cases were to Department Health (PRDH); 29,345 (47%) confirmed reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing, or presumptively diagnosed based on serological testing. The highest among presumptive occurred persons aged 20-29 years (1,150 per 100,000 residents). Among 28,219 (96.2%) nonpregnant patients disease, was higher women (936 population) than men (576 100,000) for all groups ≥20 years, majority (61%) females. adults ≥40 percentage that tested positive females (52%) males (p<0.01). Reasons are not known; serosurveys living near might help elucidate these findings. Residents travelers should remove cover standing water, practice mosquito abatement, employ bite avoidance behaviors, take precautions reduce risk sexual transmission, seek medical care any acute illness rash fever.