Zika outbreak toolbox

Zika outbreak toolbox

Updated | April 2024


WHO suggested outbreak case definition

Suspected case:

A patient presenting with rash (usually maculopapular and pruritic)

and/or fever 

and at least one of the following signs or symptoms: 

  • conjunctivitis (non-purulent/hyperaemic), 
  • arthralgia; 
  • myalgia; *
Probable case:

Patient who meets the criteria of a suspected case, and has anti-ZIKV IgM antibodies, with negative laboratory results for other flaviviruses.

Confirmed case:

Patient who meets the criteria for a suspected case and has laboratory confirmation of recent ZIKV infection, with presence of:

  • ZIKV RNA or ZIKV antigen in serum samples or other specimens (e.g., urine, saliva, tissue, whole blood, or cerebrospinal fluid [CSF)] (Excluding abortion or stillbirth) or
  • positive anti-ZIKV IgM antibodies and plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) for ZIKV titers ≥ 10 in the absence of titers for other flaviviruses (The test is done on paired samples of probable cases with positive anti-ZIKV IgM antibodies).
  • In cases of death (Excluding abortion or stillbirth) molecular detection of the viral genome in autopsy tissue (fresh or in paraffin) with in situ hybridization tests.

WHO surveillance case definition


  • Case investigation form(s):
    • Zika complication: Guillain Barre -  PDF | Word
    • Zika complication: microcephalia - PDF | Word
  • Line list(s): Not available
  • Electronic investigation tools: Not available.