Zika virus: transmission
Updated 1 April 2026
© Crown copyright 2026
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/zika-virus-transmission/zika-virus-transmission
Transmission by mosquitoes
Zika virus is transmitted by the bite of an infected female Aedes mosquito, most commonly Aedes aegypti. Other species of Aedes mosquitoes may also have the potential to transmit this virus. The Aedes aegypti mosquito is not present in the UK and is unlikely to establish in the near future, as UK temperatures are not consistently high enough for it to breed.
Read advice on avoiding mosquito bites for travellers.
Transmission by other routes
Although most cases of Zika virus infection are acquired through the bite of an infected mosquito, Zika virus can be sexually transmitted from an infected person to his or her sexual partners, even if asymptomatic.
Read advice on preventing infection by sexual transmission.
Zika virus can be passed from a pregnant woman to her foetus and may result in congenital abnormalities and complications.
Read advice on Zika and pregnancy.
Zika virus can also be transmitted through blood transfusion. Visitors to affected areas are excluded from donation for 4 weeks under the current tropical virus deferral guidelines (Tropical Viruses). Travellers who have had Zika virus infection, or symptoms suggestive of it, should not donate blood or tissues for six months after returning to the UK.