A case of Zika detected in Strasbourg: what are the symptoms of this disease?

A new case of Zika has been detected in the Grand Est region. What is this disease and how does it manifest itself?

We're familiar with chikungunya and dengue fever, but less so with Zika. However, this disease, transmitted by the infamous tiger mosquito, also affects France. Only eight cases have been detected since the beginning of the year in mainland France. The latest was detected in the east, in Strasbourg. A mosquito control operation was carried out in Strasbourg and Truchtersheim on the night of July 29 to 30, 2025, according to the Regional Health Agency . In 2024, a total of eight cases were also detected.

All cases are imported from abroad. Zika is particularly prevalent in Latin America and the French departments of the Americas, according to the Ministry of Health . This disease is generally transmitted by the tiger mosquito, although rare cases have also been described through sexual contact, transplants, or transfusions.

In the majority of infected people, there are no symptoms. "If symptoms appear, they appear 3 to 4 days after the bite," specifies the Pasteur Institute . These symptoms include headaches, fever, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and skin rashes. According to Pasteur, "conjunctivitis, pain behind the eyes, digestive problems, or even swelling of the hands or feet may appear."

Generally, the disease is not serious: "the evolution is most often rapidly favorable with spontaneous recovery in 2 to 7 days" according to the Ministry of Health . But in some cases, complications can occur. "The infection can cause severe neurological and autoimmune complications, in particular Guillain-Barré syndrome and congenital anomalies in newborns, such as microcephaly (abnormally small head)," explains the Pasteur Institute.

Because the classic symptoms of the Zika virus resemble those of chikungunya and dengue fever, it can be difficult to differentiate these diseases, which are transmitted in the same way. As with chikungunya and dengue fever, there is no specific treatment. Only symptomatic treatments can be taken. Finally, prevention "is essentially based on means of protection against mosquito bites: repellent sprays or creams, coils, electric diffusers, long clothing, mosquito nets, etc.," specifies the Regional Health Agency.