Protecting our children.
After reviewing evidence, our government scientists at CDC are now sure that the Zika virus causes microcephaly (abnormally small head) and other serious brain problems in newborns.
Zika is mostly spread by mosquito bites but can also spread by blood, sex or from pregnant mom to baby. Not all pregnant women with Zika virus infection will have babies with developmental problems.
Protect you and your unborn baby by:
- Being careful where you travel (check CDC travel updates)
- Avoiding mosquito bites
- Avoiding sex during pregnancy or by practicing safe sex and always using condoms. Find free condoms near you.
CDC is working to help solve this health problem by:
- Working with local, national and international public health partners
- Making sure everyone (including doctors) knows about Zika
- Posting travel health notices and guidelines
- Developing lab tests for Zika
- Working on a vaccine
- Reporting and watching Zika virus cases in order to learn more about how and where it is spreading
- Keeping an eye out for any Zika virus infection in the US
- Doing more studies to learn more about Zika and microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Supporting mosquito control in the US and around the world
More on Zika: Zika Virus 101 (video), What We Know and What We Don’t Know, How to Stay Safe and More and New Guidelines: Zika Can Be Spread By Sex
Guides: Pregnant? Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites and Deet Insect Repellant and Pregnancy
Keep in mind that not all pregnant women with Zika virus infection will have babies with developmental problems. More studies need to be done in order for us to have a better understanding of all developmental problems caused by Zika virus infection during pregnancy and how likely expecting moms and unborn babies are to have problems during pregnancy and birth.
Talk to your doctor or health care provider for more information.
If you don’t have a doctor, find a health center near you.
Check out CDC’s TravWell app (free) for up-to-date travel alerts, emergency phone numbers, recommendations, pre-travel care clinics and checklists to keep you and your family safe at your next destination.
Call 800 – CDC – INFO (232 – 4636), email or visit CDC website for more up-to-date information.
Sources:
– Rasmussen SA, Jamieson DJ, Honein MA, Petersen LR. Zika Virus and Birth Defects– Reviewing the Evidence for Causality. N. Engl. J. Med. 2016. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMsr1604338
– CDC Concludes Zika Causes Microcephaly and Other Birth Defects. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web site. http://1.usa.gov/1SaYTYV. Updated April 13, 2016. Accessed April 13, 2016.
– Taking Every Step Necessary, As Quickly As Possible, to Protect the American People from Zika. The White House blog web site. http://1.usa.gov/1V9puJk. Updated April 06, 2016. Accessed April 12, 2016.
– WHO Director-General summarizes the outcome of the Emergency Committee on Zika. World Health Organization web site. bit.ly/1SowcKJ. Published February 01, 2016. Accessed February 02, 2016.
– What CDC is Doing. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web site. http://1.usa.gov/1T1yixH. Updated April 12, 2016. Accessed April 13, 2016.