Pregnant in Zika Area fact sheet

CDC’s Response to Zika

PREGNANT AND LIVING IN
AN AREA WITH ZIKA?
What we know about Zika

What we don’t know about Zika

• Zika can be passed from a pregnant woman
to her fetus.

• When during pregnancy Zika might cause
harm to the fetus.

• Infection with Zika during pregnancy is
linked to birth defects in babies.

• How likely it is that Zika infection will affect
your pregnancy.

• Zika is spread mostly by the bite of an infected
Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquito.

• If your baby will develop birth defects from
the infection.

»» Protect yourself and your
family from mosquito bites
all day and night, whether
you are inside or outside.
• There is no vaccine to prevent
or medicine to treat Zika.
• Zika can be passed through
sex from a person who has
Zika to his or her partners.

Symptoms of Zika
Most people with Zika won’t even know
they have it. The illness is usually mild with
symptoms lasting for several days to a week.

Red eyes

Fever

Joint pain

Rash

The most common symptoms of Zika are
• Fever
• Rash
• Joint pain

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The USVI Department of Health has FREE Zika resources for pregnant
women, including testing, a Zika Prevention Kit (ZPK), and mosquito
spraying. Call (340) 712-6205 for information. For general information about
Zika, call 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit www.cdc.gov/zika.

October 12, 2016

CDC’s Response to Zika

CDC recommends special precautions for pregnant women
and women trying to become pregnant
Pregnant?

Trying to become pregnant?

Pregnant women and their partners should strictly
follow steps to prevent mosquito bites.

Women trying to become pregnant and their
partners should strictly follow steps to prevent
mosquito bites.

Either use condoms from start to finish every time you
have sex during your pregnancy, or do not have sex.
If you develop the symptoms of Zika, see a
healthcare provider right away for testing.

Talk to your healthcare provider about plans to
become pregnant.

Testing is recommended for pregnant women at
their first prenatal care visit.

Your Best Protection: Prevent Mosquito Bites
Clothing
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
• Treat clothing and gear with permethrin or purchase permethrin-treated items.
»» Treated clothing remains protective after multiple washings. See product
information to learn how long the protection will last.
»» If treating items yourself, follow the product instructions carefully.
• Do NOT use permethrin products directly on skin. They are intended to treat clothing.
Indoor Protection
• Stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens to
keep mosquitoes outside.
• Sleep under a mosquito bed net if air conditioned or screened rooms are not
available or if sleeping outdoors.

Repellent
Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents. When used
as directed, these insect repellents are safe and effective for pregnant and
breastfeeding women.
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•
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Always follow the product label instructions.
Reapply as directed.
Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing.
If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen before applying insect repellent.

cdc.gov/zika

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