Pregnant Women Urged to Avoid Going to Areas with Zika Risk

From CDPH
July 28, 2017

SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) advises pregnant women, and men and women of childbearing age, not to go to areas with Zika. If they must go to places with known transmission of the Zika virus, CDPH recommends they protect themselves against sexual transmission of Zika and take steps to prevent mosquito bites. Pregnant couples in which one or both partners were in an area with Zika should use condoms every time they have sex, or not have sex during the pregnancy in order to reduce the risk of transmitting Zika to the fetus.
 
“Whether you work in a location with Zika, visit family who live in places with Zika or travel for leisure to places with Zika, you need to protect yourself,” said CDPH Director and State Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith. “Anyone living in or traveling to areas with ongoing Zika activity may be at risk for infection. It is very important to protect yourself, and if you are pregnant, protect your developing baby from the serious birth defects that can result from Zika infection.”