The Zika virus can cause symptoms including fever, rash, and joint pain. It has recently been linked to microcephaly in newborn babies and is possibly linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults. The disease first started in the tropics, then individual travelers were diagnosed in many parts of the country. Subsequently it spread locally in parts of Florida and Texas.

Zika is spread by mosquitos and is also sexually transmissible, thus it could require a significant response—for example, it can cost more than $1 billion to develop a single vaccine. Our infographic explores the federal government’s role and lays out some strategies for making its response more effective.

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