Update October 26, 2017

There is important new information and updated Zika-virus guidelines concerning pregnant women, those who may get pregnant and health care providers. Zika virus vaccines in development are seeing progress in research testing phases. Unfortunately not everyone with Zika-virus has noticeable symptoms or a confirmed case. 1 in 12 infants, who are born to mothers with confirmed Zika virus infection, come into the world with a related birth defect. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believes Zika remains a large public health threat especially to pregnant women and their unborn children. Despite that cases are down compared to this time last year, Zika-virus infection cases continue to spring up in the United States and other countries across the world.

The CDC’s revised guidelines for healthcare providers include:

• Asking pediatric doctors to carefully assess infants born without birth defects to moms who had potential Zika-virus infection while pregnant.
• The importance of maintaining careful assessment of congenital Zika virus infection risks
• Asking OBGYN and Pediatric health care providers to stay in close communication