Zika virus cases in Mexico 2015-2023

In 2023, Mexico reported 29 cases of the Zika virus disease, up from 12 cases recorded a year earlier. During the period analyzed, 2016 was the year with the highest number of Zika infections in the North American country, with more than 8,000 cases. Within the Latin American and Caribbean region, Brazil was the country that accounted for most Zika cases that year.

A vector borne disease

Zika is an infectious disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which is also a vector of dengue fever. In Latin America, Zika reached nearly 37,000 infections in 2023, most of which were reported in Brazil. This disease can also be sexually transmitted and can be acquired through blood transfusions. Zika is associated with microcephaly in newborns and in rare cases with the Guillain Barré syndrome. In 2021, 287 cases of microcephaly in children were reported in Brazil, a slight decrease when compared to the number of cases reported in recent years. This health condition disrupts brain growth and can cause intellectual impairment and motor problems.

Preventive measures

Prevention strategies are essential to reduce the economic and social burden of mosquito-borne diseases such as the Zika virus infection. Preventive measures aim to control and reduce the mosquito population while raising awareness to avoid bites with repellents and the importance of safe sex practices to minimize the risks of infection. Although a vaccine has not yet been approved, it has been estimated that market for the Zika virus vaccine in Latin America could be worth approximately 2.67 billion U.S. dollars by 2024.