Zika and Pregnancy What you should know
Mosquitoes are the deadliest animals in the world because of the diseases they spread. Zika virus disease (Zika) spreads to people mainly through the bite of two types of mosquitoes. The newest edition of CDC Vital Signs focuses on the threat of Zika to pregnant women and their fetuses and the steps that can be taken by them, their partners and communities to thwart this public health risk. CDC Vital Signs reports on a single, compelling public health topic each month. This health threat is so important that we are releasing this in tandem with our Zika Action Plan Summit today with state and local health officials. Some key points of the CDC Vital Signs report on Zika and pregnancy include: - A mosquito infected with Zika can continue biting people over its lifespan of about 30 days.
- Only 2 known types of mosquitoes spread Zika, out of 176 recognized species of mosquitoes in the US.
- Zika is linked to cases of microcephaly, a serious birth defect, which is a sign that the baby is born with a smaller brain, which can result in medical problems and impaired growth for a child.
- Zika may spread through mosquito bites to some states this spring and summer.
- A pregnant woman can also contract the virus through having unprotected sex with a male partner who gets infected by mosquito bite.
In past outbreaks, most people with Zika have not gotten sick, so people may not even know they've been infected. Based on current knowledge, the greatest risk for complications from Zika is to a pregnant woman's fetus. According to the report, pregnant women can take the following actions: Avoid travel to any area with Zika. Take preventive steps such as wearing insect repellent. Talk to her doctor first if she must travel to an area with Zika, and get tested for Zika between 2 and 12 weeks after returning. Use latex condoms, the right way, every time or choose not to have any type of sex with a partner who has been in an area with Zika. |
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