The first certified case of infection from the zika virus was validated by the health authorities on 29 January. The infection is expected to expand rapidly, particularly in those parts of Peru with a tropical or semi-tropical climate. The mosquito that carries the virus, aedes aegipti, is present in a large number of provinces in Peru, notably in the Amazon jungle but also along the northern coast and the jungle fringe (ceja de selva). The mosquito also carries other diseases like dengue fever and chikunguña http://elcomercio.pe/peru/pais/mosquito-que-transmite-zika-habita-20-regiones-peru-mapa-noticia-1875342?flsm=1

The virus, which threatens to become a pandemic in the Americas, has taken firm root in a number of South American countries, notably Colombia and Brazil. It is most prevalent in locations in which there is plentiful rainfall and therefore copious stagnant water in which mosquitoes can breed. It is widely thought to be the cause of microcephaly in new-born babies. As such, it is likely to cause a major public health scare in Peru which the authorities will be hard-pressed to manage. It is likely to cause huge alarm, not least among those expectant mothers in the coming months.

The problem will be made worse by the coincidence with the El Niño phenomenon which leads to increased rainfall in places where little rain normally falls and higher-than-usual temperatures.