5 Ways The Zika Virus Is Here To Stay

Colombians began contracting Zika virus in October 2015, and the country experienced a peak of infections in early February, reports Stat, but the country declared its epidemic over by July. This could mean that Colombia may yet experience another wave of births or miscarriages affected by congenital Zika virus syndrome, says Pardo-Villamizar.

3. Dozens of babies in the U.S. have been born with Zika virus-related birth defects. 

According to a CDC report published in December, 34 babies have been born in the U.S. with birth defects linked to the Zika virus, which include things like microcephaly, brain damage and deformities, excess brain fluid, deafness, eye problems and nerve and joint conditions. In total, 1,246 pregnant women in the U.S. have tested positive for a possible Zika virus infection, which means that the country can expect more babies with Zika virus congenital syndrome to be born in the coming months.  

4. Expect small, sporadic Zika virus outbreaks in the U.S. from here on out. 

Since late November, Texas has recorded six cases of Zika virus that officials suspect were transmitted by local mosquitoes instead of mosquitoes the patients encountered through travel. This is an important distinction because it means that a local mosquito population in the U.S. appears to have the virus and is now passing it to U.S. residents. The first local case was announced Nov. 28, and health officials found four other cases after going door to door near the neighborhood where the first patient lived.