OVERVIEW | REGULATIONS & GUIDELINES | BEST PRACTICES | INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES | PATIENT RESOURCES
Overview
Zika virus disease (Zika) is a disease caused by the Zika virus, which is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika. For this reason, many people might not realize they have been infected. However, Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly, as well as other severe fetal brain defects. Once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections. Source: CDC
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Best Practices
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Key Learnings as of April 2017
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To prevent occupationally-acquired infections and reduce the possibility of spreading infectious diseases, including Zika virus, in healthcare settings, HCP should adhere to Standard Precautions for all patient care activities (2007 Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings). Employers must comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Bloodborne Pathogens standard (29 CFR 1910.1030), or similar OSHA State Plan standards, whenever employees have occupational exposure to blood, body fluids, or other potentially infectious materials. Source: CDC
For ongoing updates, check the CDC Zika Virus webpage for healthcare providers.
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Publications
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(1) Resources and Publications
(2) CIDRAP - Zika
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FAQs |
(1) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(2) WHO
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