Below is a table outlining the difference between the Zika virus and other mosquito borne diseases like Malaria, Dengue fever and Chikungunya. Source is Health Department’s Emergency and Surveillance manager and Epidemiologist Berry Ropa.
| Disease | Malaria | Zika | Dengue | Chikungunya |
| Cause | Parasite | Virus | Virus | Virus |
| Vector | Anopheles mosquitoes(night biting) | Aedes mosquitoes (day biting) | Aedes mosquitoes (day biting) | Aedes mosquitoes (day biting) |
| Common Symptoms and Signs |
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| Potential Complications (Common) |
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| Main Treatment | Anti-malarials | Symptomatic treatment | Symptomatic treatment (fluid resuscitation for severe dengue – see dengue treatment protocols) | Symptomatic treatment |
| Prevention | Avoidance of mosquito bites; Elimination of mosquito breeding sites | Avoidance of mosquito bites; Elimination of mosquito breeding sites | Avoidance of mosquito bites; Elimination of mosquito breeding sites | Avoidance of mosquito bites; Elimination of mosquito breeding sites |
| Reporting Case Definition | Acute fever, and positive RDT or malaria microscopy | Fever and rash, with at least ONE of the following symptoms (not explained by any other medical condition):
| Fever and at least TWO of the following symptoms:
| Acute fever and arthralgia, not explained by another medical condition |
| Diagnosis | Malaria RDT or microscopy | |||
| Sample referral referred to Institute of Medical Research | ||||