Zika

American  

[zee-kuh] / ˈzi kə /

noun

1.  Zika disease,.   Zika fever,.   Zika virus disease.  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.

---

Etymology

Origin of Zika

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

The WHO helped eradicate smallpox, established a framework that led to a dramatic worldwide reduction in tobacco use and helped control numerous pandemics, from Ebola to mpox to Zika.

From Salon • Feb. 28, 2026

After all, this was the year that brought Brexit, the Zika virus outbreak and the deaths of David Bowie, George Michael and Prince.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

In the regions studied, mosquitoes spread viruses such as Yellow Fever, dengue, Zika, Mayaro, Sabiá, and Chikungunya.

From Science Daily • Jan. 15, 2026

Chikungunya fever spreads through bites from Aedes mosquitoes, the same insects that transmit dengue and Zika viruses.

From Science Daily • Oct. 10, 2025

Polluted air, bacteria-infested water, and the Zika virus.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad