[Zika virus infection: sexual transmission and implications for prevention].

Abstract

Zika virus infection, most oft n responsible for a benign arboviral disease or an asymptomatic infection, rarely Guillain-Barré syndrome, can become problematic in pregnant women, due to a risk of fetal malformations, in particular microcephaly linked to its neurotropism. The most recent large-scale epidemic was observed throughout Latin America between 2015 and 2017, causing several hundred thousand cases. Transmission is predominantly vector-borne, but sexual transmission has been described, mainly among travelers, although it undoubtedly accounts for a significant proportion of transmission in epidemic areas. The aim of this review is to describe this sexual transmission, mainly through examples linked to this large-scale epidemic in Latin America, to describe the link with prolonged excretion of infectious viral particles in genital secretions, especially semen but also vaginal secretions, and to highlight possible preventive measures apart from vector transmission, in particular the need for pregnant women or women wishing to become pregnant to avoid visiting countries where circulation of Zika virus is described.