About 1 in 7 babies now 1 year or older who were born to women with Zika virus infection during pregnancy had one or more health problems possibly caused by exposure to the virus before birth, according to the latest Vital Signs report. Some of these problems were not apparent at birth. CDC has in a recent communication has issued guidelines to handle zika virus.
About 4,800 pregnancies from areas with Zika (Puerto Rico, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Marshall Islands) in the U.S. Zika Pregnancy and Infant Registry (USZPIR) had a laboratory result showing possible or confirmed Zika virus infection between 2016 and 2018. From these pregnancies, 1,450 babies were at least 1 year old by February 1, 2018, and had any follow-up care reported to the USZPIR. Many of these babies did not receive all the recommended screenings for health problems potentially related to Zika virus. Careful monitoring and evaluation of these children is essential to ensure early detection of possible disabilities and referral to early intervention services.
“We know that Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause serious health problems in babies, such as birth defects and vision problems, including conditions not always evident at birth,” said CDC Director Robert Redfield, M.D. “We are still learning about the full range of long-term health problems these babies could face. We thank clinicians for their continued commitment to conduct all necessary tests and evaluations to ensure appropriate care.”
Data reported for Puerto Rico, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of the Marshall Islands showed opportunities for improvement in the screening and care these babies receive. For example, among the 1,450 babies included in the analysis, while 95 percent were reported to have had at least one physical examination after two weeks of age, only 36 percent were reported to have received the recommended eye exam by an eye specialist. Following the recommended screenings and care for these babies is important for more complete identification of health problems and timely referral to services.
Zika is still a threat
Zika virus is still a risk for pregnant women and their babies. In addition to the 4,800 pregnancies in the U.S. territories and freely associated states, nearly 2,500 pregnancies in U.S. states Zika virus infection; most infections occurred during travel.
Zika virus can be transmitted from the bite of an infected mosquito, from a pregnant woman to her developing baby, through sex, and through blood transfusion. Most of the cases in the U.S. states resulted from mosquito bites during travel to areas with risk of Zika. There are currently no areas with local mosquito-borne Zika virus transmission in the continental United States. Though transmission has declined around the world, Zika virus continues to spread at low levels in many areas, and nearly 100 countries and territories are areas with risk of Zika. For this reason, CDC continues to urge pregnant women not to travel to areas with risk of Zika and recommends that men and women who travel to an area with risk of Zika wait before trying to conceive.
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About 1 in 7 babies now 1 year or older who were born to women with Zika virus infection during pregnancy had one or more health problems possibly caused by exposure to the virus before birth, according to the latest Vital Signs report. Some of these problems were not apparent at birth. CDC has in a recent communication has issued guidelines to handle zika virus.
About 4,800 pregnancies from areas with Zika (Puerto Rico, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Marshall Islands) in the U.S. Zika Pregnancy and Infant Registry (USZPIR) had a laboratory result showing possible or confirmed Zika virus infection between 2016 and 2018. From these pregnancies, 1,450 babies were at least 1 year old by February 1, 2018, and had any follow-up care reported to the USZPIR. Many of these babies did not receive all the recommended screenings for health problems potentially related to Zika virus. Careful monitoring and evaluation of these children is essential to ensure early detection of possible disabilities and referral to early intervention services.
“We know that Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause serious health problems in babies, such as birth defects and vision problems, including conditions not always evident at birth,” said CDC Director Robert Redfield, M.D. “We are still learning about the full range of long-term health problems these babies could face. We thank clinicians for their continued commitment to conduct all necessary tests and evaluations to ensure appropriate care.”
Data reported for Puerto Rico, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of the Marshall Islands showed opportunities for improvement in the screening and care these babies receive. For example, among the 1,450 babies included in the analysis, while 95 percent were reported to have had at least one physical examination after two weeks of age, only 36 percent were reported to have received the recommended eye exam by an eye specialist. Following the recommended screenings and care for these babies is important for more complete identification of health problems and timely referral to services.
Zika is still a threat
Zika virus is still a risk for pregnant women and their babies. In addition to the 4,800 pregnancies in the U.S. territories and freely associated states, nearly 2,500 pregnancies in U.S. states Zika virus infection; most infections occurred during travel.
Zika virus can be transmitted from the bite of an infected mosquito, from a pregnant woman to her developing baby, through sex, and through blood transfusion. Most of the cases in the U.S. states resulted from mosquito bites during travel to areas with risk of Zika. There are currently no areas with local mosquito-borne Zika virus transmission in the continental United States. Though transmission has declined around the world, Zika virus continues to spread at low levels in many areas, and nearly 100 countries and territories are areas with risk of Zika. For this reason, CDC continues to urge pregnant women not to travel to areas with risk of Zika and recommends that men and women who travel to an area with risk of Zika wait before trying to conceive.
