Abstract

Zika virus (ZIKV) poses a significant threat to the central nervous system (CNS), causing diverse neurological disorders in adults
and severe congenital Zika syndrome in infants. ZIKV’s ability to breach the blood-brain barrier, infect neural cells, and induce
neuroinflammation underlies its neuropathogenesis. In adults, ZIKV can lead to meningoencephalitis, myelitis, and Guillain-Barré
syndrome, while in infants, it causes microcephaly and developmental issues by disrupting neurogenesis. Persistent viral presence
and glial cell activation further contribute to neurological damage and long-term sequelae. Current therapeutic strategies are limited,
prompting research into antiviral and immunomodulatory approaches. Long-term outcomes in children require ongoing monitoring
and support.