Q: How is the Zika virus diagnosed

A: The Zika virus is generally diagnosed based on symptoms a person may be experiencing, along with an evaluation of their history. An example would be someone who recently traveled to an area with the Zika virus, or recently got multiple mosquito bites. Laboratory testing can confirm Zika virus in the blood. However, this method is not always reliable as it cross-reacts with other viruses, such as the West Nile virus.