Friday, February 05, 2016 | Category: Sonora Quest News
The following health alert is from the Arizona Department of Health Services:
Due to the rapid expansion of Zika virus to Central America, South America, the Caribbean, and Mexico, there are new recommendations for clinicians and travelers to Zika-affected countries. Local mosquito-borne transmission of the virus has not been documented in the continental United States, but infections have been identified in travelers returning from affected areas. A link has also been identified between Zika virus infection in pregnant women and microcephaly and fetal losses.
CDC recommends that pregnant women should consider postponing travel to areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. All travelers should take steps to avoid mosquito bites to prevent Zika virus infection and other mosquito-borne diseases.
Recommendations for healthcare providers:
For more detailed information about Zika virus, visit http://www.cdc.gov/zika/. Guidelines for pregnant women during a Zika virus outbreak are available here: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm6502e1er.htm?s_cid=mm6502e1er_x
Local health department contacts are available here: http://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/index.php#resources-county
Arizona Department of Health Services can be reached at 602-364-3676 or firstname.lastname@example.org.