Louisville Medicine Volume 63, Issue 11 | Page 9

Physicians should ask all pregnant women about travel to an area with ongoing Zika virus transmission. Because there is neither a vaccine nor prophylactic medications available to prevent Zika virus infection, pregnant women should strongly consider postponing travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. If they simply must travel to an infected area, they should take recommended precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness is advising area physicians to begin testing certain patients for the Zika virus. The following individuals should be considered for Zika virus testing: • Individuals, including pregnant women, with a history of travel to an area with Zika virus transmission and who report two of more symptoms consistent with Zika virus disease (including acute onset of fever, maculopapular rash, arthralgia or conjunctivitis) during or within one week of travel. • Asymptomatic pregnant women (women who do not report clinical illness consistent with Zika virus disease) who have traveled to areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission. Testing should be offered between two and 12 weeks after pregnant women return from travel. • In addition, pregnant women with a history of travel to an area with Zika virus transmission and who have ultrasound findings of fetal microcephaly or intracranial calcificatio