Zika Virus and Pregnancy

Pregnant women can be infected through:

Bite of an infected mosquito
Sperm of an infected male
Pregnant women can prevent infection by:
Avoiding travel to places with Zika outbreaks
Using EPA-registered insect repellant
Abstaining from or using protection during
intercourse if the partner has been exposed
to Zika

Fetal Problems

Pregnant women can pass Zika to her fetus either

during pregnancy or through delivery. Some
problems may include:
Poor brain development, eye defects, hearing
deficits, or impaired growth
Microcephaly

Microcephaly

Condition where a baby has an abnormally

small head because the brain did not develop
normally in pregnancy
Can result in developmental delays,
intellectual deficits, and hearing loss
There is currently no cure, but therapies are
available to decrease complications
Ultrasounds can only detect the virus during
the second and third trimester of pregnancy

Additional Resources
For more information about Zika Virus and
pregnancy, visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/zika/pregnancy/questio
n-answers.html
For more information about current travel
restrictions, visit:
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zika-info
rmation
For more information about diagnosis and
treatment options, visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/zika/symptoms/
For more general information, visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/zika/
and
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets
/zika/en/
For more information about GMOs and
current research, visit:
http://www.oxitec.com

Everything You N
eed to Know
About Zika Virus
and
What You Can Do to
Protect
Yourself

Camille Chetrit
Sarah Glickman
Rachel Lee
Allison Lin

What is the Zika Virus?

Treatment

Zika virus is a mosquito-transmitted infection

related to other mosquito related diseases such as
dengue, yellow fever, and west nile virus. It was
previously contained to the eastern hemisphere until
the infection was detected in Brazil in May 2015.

There are currently no treatments or vaccines

available. Often, those who are affected will not show
any symptoms and the virus will pass. If symptoms
appear, the proper care should be implemented:
Rest
Rehydration
Take medications such as acetaminophen
(Tylenol)
Avoid aspirin and other non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs

Signs and Symptoms

Where is it Found and Who is at Risk?

Essentially anyone who can be bitten by a mosquito

is at risk, but only a specific type of mosquito found
in certain parts of the world can transmit the virus.

Most people infected will not exhibit any symptoms.

Those who do present with:
Fever
Rash
Joint and muscle pain
Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
Malaise (feeling of discomfort / illness)
Headache
Symptoms tend to last about 2-7 days.

Countries with active transmission include:

Africa, Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands, Mexico,
Central America, and South America

Prevention

It is important to protect against and avoid

mosquitoes. Preventative measures include:
Protect against mosquitoes:
Mosquito repellent
Mosquito nets
Clothing that covers
the skin (i.e. long
sleeves, long pants)
Staying indoors
Avoid regions of active
transmission of Zika virus

Specific areas in the United States include:

Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa

Diagnosis

Zika requires medical diagnosis. Doctors look for:

Classic signs and symptoms
Travel history
Laboratory diagnostics include:
Blood and serum tests
Detection of virus-specific
antibodies

Current Research

Scientists and researchers are currently creating

genetically modified mosquitoes (GMO), which are a
specific type of mosquito aimed at decreasing the
transmission of the Zika virus.