The Zika virus was first discovered in Rhesus monkeys living in the Zika Forest of Uganda
The first-known evidence of human infection was in Uganda and Nigeria
Over the next three decades, low numbers of Zika cases are recorded throughout equatorial Africa
Over the same time period, the virus is also known to have spread across Asia from India to Indonesia
The Yap Islands recorded the first zika virus outbreak outside of Africa and Asia. The Yap Islands, located to the east of the Philippines with 49 confirmed and 59 probable cases of Zika virus disease
Between 2013 and early 2014, researchers estimate nearly 20,000 people on the cluster of islands in the South Pacific were infected with the virus
The zika virus has spread to more than 20 countries in South America including Mexico, Brazil, Honduras, Guatemala, Columbia and Paraguay
Cases are now being reported in neighbouring countries and a baby born with microcephaly in Hawaii this year was confirmed to be carrying the virus
Although there is a fear it will spread to the UK and it is possible that a disease-bearing mosquito could make its way here in cargo or in the cabin of an aircraft, it would quickly die in our climate