Zika

[ zee-kuh ]

noun

1. Zika fever,. an illness caused by a chiefly mosquito-borne virus of the genus Flavivirus , typically characterized by mild fever, rash, and joint pain.
2. the virus that causes this illness; Zika virus.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Zika¹

First recorded in 1950–55, Zika is from the Luganda word zika “overgrown”; the virus was first identified in a rhesus monkey in the Zika Forest in Uganda

Example Sentences

Scientists believe they have found a quirky way to fight mosquito-spread diseases such as dengue, yellow fever and Zika - by turning male insects deaf so they struggle to mate and breed.

From BBC

This includes illnesses like malaria, dengue, Zika and more.

From Salon

Other examples of neglected diseases include the West Nile, Zika and Chikungunya viruses.

From Salon

These aggressive daytime biters spread serious diseases outside L.A. like Zika virus, which can cause birth defects among pregnant patients, Chikungunya, which can cause serious long-term joint pain and dengue fever, which can cause high fever and body aches, and occasionally, death.

From Los Angeles Times

While the threat of contracting the Zika virus was cited as a reason not to travel to Brazil, there was also a feeling that several top stars had not embraced the notion that golf should be an Olympic sport.

From BBC