What is Zika?

The Zika virus is a mosquito-borne infection which was first identified in Africa in 1947. It has spread significantly across the world since the first reported case in Brazil in 2015.

For most people it is a very mild infection and isn't harmful. However, scientists believe it's behind an unprecedented rise in the number of children being born with unusually small heads - microcephaly - in Zika infected areas.

The virus is transmitted to people primarily through an infected Aedes species mosquito, although it can also be passed from person-to-person via sexual contact with an infected man.