Laboratory findings in Zika infection: The experience of a reference centre in North-West Italy.

•IKV imported infection was identified in 13 patients (11.6%), 12 travelers and the sexual partner of a traveler, in Piemonte, Italy North West (January–September 2016).•ZIKV RNA was detected in the blood in 4 out of 9 patients within 7 days from symptom onset and in 5 patients in urine. ZIKV IgM was reactive in 9 patients.•The sensitivity of two real time PCR assays was probed against the reference strain ZIKV virus H/PF/2013; for specificity, QCMD controls were used.•Febrile travelers are sentinels of a rapidly changing epidemiology.