Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what protocol is in place in the event of a person in the UK testing positive for the Zika virus.

In the United Kingdom, testing for Zika virus is carried out in the Public Health EnglandRare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory at Porton Down. In the event of a positive result, the clinicians caring for the patient are informed immediately, as well as local Public Health officials. The clinicians will be referred to the national guidance for further advice on management and follow-up. The majority of people (roughly 80%) infected do not have symptoms. For those with symptoms, Zika virus generally causes a mild, short-lived (2 to 7 days) illness.

In the case of a pregnant woman, the guidance suggests referral to a fetal medicine service for further assessment, including an ultrasound scan. Samples will also be tested for other infections prevalent in the geographical region that the patient has visited, and which may present with similar symptoms, such as dengue.