Study: 6% of U.S. pregnancies with Zika virus linked to birth defects

January 5, 2017

About 6 percent of U.S. completed pregnancies with laboratory evidence of possible recent Zika infection had a fetus or infant with evidence of a Zika-related birth defect, according to a study published in December by the Journal of the American Medical Association.These findings highlight the importance of screening pregnant women for Zika virus exposure.

The Washington State Department of Health website contains a Zika Virus page with information for health care providers, clinical labs and the public. The Department of Health specifically recommends screening all pregnant patients for possible Zika virus exposure at each prenatal care visit. Pregnant patient screening and lab testing recommendations may be found here. In Washington State, if you are caring for a patient suspected of having or known to have a Zika infection, contact your local health jurisdiction for reporting and assistance. The CDC also has a 24/7 Zika hotline and email for providers; call 770-488-7100 and ask for the Zika pregnancy hotline, or email zikamch@cdc.gov. (Janine Reisinger)

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