Update on Zika Virus

by | Mar 25, 2016

The NYC Health Department continues to remind New Yorkers about the risk of travel to Zika-affected countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. We also want to share updates on our work to address local concerns about Zika.

  1. We continue to work with local providers (doctors, clinics, hospitals, etc.) by sharing guidance on Zika and coordinating testing of patients locally. Today, our doctors held a conference call with local providers to share updates on Zika testing, specimen collection and follow-ups to test results.
  1. Today we are also deploying community outreach teams to visit and engage with providers who offer services to pregnant women. Outreach staff will distribute our provider guidance on Zika, as well as public materials to share with clients/patients. Our teams are focusing on neighborhoods with high populations of New Yorkers from Zika-affected countries.
  1. We continue to remind local providers that testing is available in NYC. Providers should arrange testing for people who meet the criteria below:
  • A pregnant women who:
    • Spent time in an area with Zika virus transmission while pregnant, or
    • Had unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex with a partner who spent time in an area with Zika virus transmission
  • A person who developed one or more symptoms of Zika up to 4 weeks after spending time in an area with active Zika virus transmission.
    • Symptoms of Zika virus infection include fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis (red eyes).
  • A fetus or infant with a birth defect linked to Zika (i.e. microcephaly) and whose mother:
    • Spent time in an area with Zika virus transmission while pregnant, or
    • During pregnancy, had unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with a partner who spent time in an area with active Zika virus transmission.
  • A person who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome after spending time in an area with active Zika virus transmission.

Please continue to visit nyc.gov/health/zika and follow the Health Department’s social media channels for the latest updates, resources and alerts for New Yorkers.

 

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