CDC updates Zika guidance for infants, announces new area of local transmission

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today issued updated clinical guidance for health care providers caring for infants born to mothers with possible Zika virus infection during pregnancy. The revised guidance updates recommendations for the initial evaluation and testing of infants born to mothers with laboratory evidence of possible Zika virus infection during pregnancy, and includes recommendations for the management, referral and follow-up of infants with laboratory evidence of congenital Zika virus infection. CDC officials will review the updated guidance Tuesday during a webinar for clinicians at 2 p.m. ET. Local transmission of Zika virus has been reported only in Miami-Dade County, FL, primarily in a small area north of Miami but also in a newly designated area of Miami Beach. CDC and Florida health officials recommend pregnant women avoid travel to the two areas, and consider postponing nonessential travel to Miami-Dade County. Among other actions, they said pregnant women who have lived in or visited the affected part of Miami Beach since July 14 should see their health care provider about getting tested for Zika, which can cause microcephaly and other birth defects. Last week, Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell declared a public health emergency in Puerto Rico in response to Zika, which CDC researchers estimate could infect 5,900 to 10,300 pregnant women in that territory. For more information on Zika, visit http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html and http://www.aha.org/zika.