October 25, 2017
Dear Colleague:
On October 19, 2017, CDC released updated Interim Guidance for the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Management of Infants with Possible Congenital Zika Virus Infection—October 2017.
CDC updated this guidance to incorporate information from the recently published guidance for healthcare providers caring for pregnant women with possible Zika virus exposure; to address uncertainty regarding Zika virus testing performance (e.g., sensitivity and specificity) for congenital Zika virus infection, and to include recognition of additional clinical findings associated with congenital Zika virus infection. A testing and evaluation algorithm summarizing these recommendations is available here.
We urge all healthcare providers caring for patients with possible exposure to Zika virus to read and familiarize yourself with this important clinical guidance. As a reminder, public health testing at Virginia’s Department of Consolidated Laboratory Services is available for those patients who meet certain criteria and for whom testing at a private laboratory is not feasible. Please contact your local health department if you have any questions about testing or Zika virus infection.
Thank you for your continued dedication to caring for pregnant women with possible Zika virus exposure and their infants.
Sincerely,
Marissa J. Levine, MD, MPH, FAAFP
State Health Commissioner