CDC issues update on Zika virus infection among U.S. pregnant travelers

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today issued reports on Zika virus infection among U.S. pregnant travelers, and transmission of Zika virus through sexual contact with travelers to areas of ongoing transmission. Based on tests performed at CDC as of Feb. 17, only nine pregnant women who reported clinical illness consistent with Zika virus disease had laboratory evidence of a recent Zika virus infection, the agency said. Additional testing performed as of Feb. 24 identified no confirmed cases among 162 pregnant women without reported symptoms. CDC also announced a registry to collect information on U.S. pregnant women with confirmed Zika virus infection and their infants, and encouraged health care providers to discuss participation in the registry with pregnant women who have Zika infection. A total of 147 Zika cases have been reported in U.S. states and territories. With the exception of 39 cases in the U.S. territories, all are travel-related. The agency will roll out two tests for Zika virus to its Lab Response Network over the next several weeks, one for active infection and the other that can detect antibodies a week to several months after infection, said CDC Director Tom Frieden. For more on the Zika virus, visit www.cdc.gov/zika and www.aha.org/zika.