This document is an interagency collaboration lead by UNICEF and in close partnership with WHO and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Its purpose is to, under the WHO Strategic Response Framework, provide a tool for the use of country teams of the key collaborators and other response stakeholders including INGOs, NGOs and CSOs risk communication and community engagement interventions. These interventions will help increase the understanding of the Zika virus and its potential consequences, prevent its spread, mitigate the impact on individuals and families, in particular women, and communities and contribute to on-going research to improve response activities and control efforts.

This document uses the best available scientific evidence, available at this time, on prevention and control of the Zika virus and its potential link to microcephaly and other neurological disorders. The messages, actions and related supporting information will be revised periodically based on the epidemiology and evolution of the Zika virus outbreak, forms of transmission, and further information about Zika and its potential link to microcephaly and other neurological disorders. Updated versions will be circulated as needed.

This guidance operationalizes the risk communication and community engagement strategies outlined in the SRF by focusing on messages and behaviours for personal protection, for community-based vector control and for mitigating the impact on individuals and families.

This document provides interim guidance for effective risk communication around Zika virus transmission and potential complications. Although Zika virus was first identified in humans in 1952, few outbreaks have been documented. Recently, increased rates of neurological complications including microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome have been reported in the context of Zika virus outbreaks and increased circulation, particularly in the Americas.

This interim guidance should be used as a reference for communicators from a range of sectors to align with ongoing Zika virus communication efforts. It complements a Zika virus risk communication and community engagement implementation guide developed by the WHO Regional Office for the Americas. This guidance will be updated as new evidence, information and issues arise.