human
I've been hearing a lot about the Zika virus. What do I need to know?
assistant
The Zika virus is a mosquito-borne disease that can cause birth defects, including microcephaly and other serious brain abnormalities. It's spread through mosquito bites, so it's important to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. If you have recently traveled to an area where Zika is present, it's recommended that you wait at least 8 weeks before trying to get pregnant.