Table 1.
Epidemiologic and study design related characteristics of Ebola, MERS, Zika.
| Zaire Ebola virus | MERS-CoV | Zika virus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incubation | |||
| Typical | 7–10 days | 7–14 days | 7–10 days |
| Range | 2–21 days | 2–21 days | Unknown |
| Transmission | Body fluid exposure | Contact, droplet | Arthropod (mosquito) |
| Ease of transmission | High | Low to medium | High (in endemic region) |
| Secondary cases | All direct contacts of 1° case | Some direct contacts of 1° case | Regional (mosquito driven) |
| 2° transmission risks | Any contact with blood, vomitus, diarrhea, saliva, semen | HCW, contact with patient with high respiratory viral load | Sexual contacts, breast feeding, transfusion, droplet (?) |
| Primary at-risk groups | HCW, family, close friends | HCW, close contacts (of severely ill patients) | All residing in endemic region, sexual contacts |
| Geography of cases | West Africa; importation of ill HCW to host countries | Arabian peninsula, North Africa, South Korea | South and Central America, Caribbean basin, South Florida |
| Goal for vaccine | Prevention of infection | Prevention of infection | Prevention of infection |
| Outcome of interest | Prevention of mortality | Prevention of severe pneumonia | Prevention of microcephaly |
| Diagnosis | PCR (serum) | PCR (lower respiratory) | PCR (serum, saliva, urine), serology |
| Commercial Dx assay | Yes | Yes | No, EUA only |
| Correlates of protection | Not defined | Not defined | Not defined |
| Timing of outbreak | December 2013 - January 2016 | Ongoing with periodic outbreaks | Ongoing transmission & spread |