The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued updated guidance for the prevention of sexual transmission of Zika virus and testing of pregnant women who could have been exposed to the disease.
Based on new information, CDC guidance now expands the Zika-specific blood testing window for pregnant women from seven days after symptoms start to up to 14 days. Further, pregnant women who might have been exposed to Zika but do not show symptoms also should receive this testing, CDC advised.
CDC also updated guidance for sexual transmission of the Zika virus. CDC now recommends that all pregnant women with sex partners (male or female) who live in or traveled to an area with Zika use condoms during sex or abstain from sex for the remainder of their pregnancy. The agency recommended that all pregnant women should be tested who might have been exposed to Zika sexually.
CDC will host a webinar on Zika virus implications for pregnant women on July 28 from 2 – 3 p.m.
America’s Essential Hospitals has established a resource page dedicated to this emerging public health threat. Visit this page regularly for new and updated information.
