Zika virus infection in a German traveller to the Maldives, August 2025.

BACKGROUND

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a neurotropic flavivirus associated with generally mild disease but the risk of congenital abnormalities when contracted during pregnancy. Reports from the Maldives are rare.

METHODS

We describe a ZIKV infection in a traveller returning from the Maldives in August 2025, including clinical findings and molecular diagnostics with metagenomic sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.

RESULTS

ZIKV ribonucleic acid was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and sequencing identified the ZIKV Asian lineage. However, the limited sequence length precluded precise phylogenetic placement.

CONCLUSION

This case underlines the ongoing risk of ZIKV transmission in areas where compatible arthropod vectors are present. Since there is no systematic surveillance in the Maldives, the detection of ZIKV infections in returning travellers is becoming increasingly important for assessing the epidemiological situation.