Only 44 Zika Cases Confirmed in El Salvador

Since the Zika virus was first detected in the Americas in May 2015, 52 countries and territories have confirmed locally transmitted cases.

While mosquito-transmitted diseases like Zika are detected mainly through passive surveillance systems that identify infections when people seek medical care, countries such as the Republic of El Salvador have taken proactive diagnostic measures.

The country's Ministry of Health monitors for three arboviruses, Chikungunya, Dengue, and Zika, when a person is tested at a facility. And adapted the "It's in your hands" campaigns to include Zika.

As a result, over the last three years, the El Salvador has reported a decreasing number of Zika cases to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

This Central American country reported 106 Zika cases in 2023, 92 in 2024, and 44 as of December 17, 2025.

This data contrasts with a much higher number of Chikungunya and Dengue cases.

Currently, the U.S. CDC does not recommend pre-trip vaccinations for these diseases, but it did include El Salvador in recent Dengue and Measles Travel Health Notices.

And in 2024, the local U.S. Embassy issued a Health Alert due to an increase in Dengue cases.

El Salvador is experiencing a significant tourism spike in 2025, with over 3 million visitors so far. When visiting El Salvador, the Embassy recommends enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive digital alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.