Hi everyone - I have been deep in Zika Virus research mode for the past week, because I know many moms in our Nurture community are concerned. Here is what I found out and I apologize in advance that some of it is scary. But I am always in favor of empowerment through knowledge. The NYTimes did a great report this very morning, found here. 

What is the Zika Virus?

It's a mosquito-transmitted infection that appears to be linked to the development of unusually small heads and brain damage (microcephaly) in newborns. 80% of the people who contract this virus do not even have symptoms. The other 20% may experience fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes. (In addition to mosquitos, there has been one report of possible spread through blood transfusion and one of possible spread through sex. The virus was also found on one occasion in semen.)

Why all the panic lately?

While the Zika Virus is common in Africa and Asia, it did not begin spreading widely in the Western Hemisphere until last May, when an outbreak occurred in Brazil. Until now, almost no one on this side of the world had been infected. Few of us have immune defenses against the virus, so it is spreading rapidly. Millions of people in tropical regions of the Americas may now have been infected. Most alarmingly, normally about 150 cases of microcephaly are reported in Brazil each year, but right now authorities in Brazil are investigating nearly 4,000 cases.

How does this affect pregnant women?

According to the CDC, pregnant women should not visit the following countries: Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The list of countries is being updated daily and travel advisories can be found here. (A few airlines have already said they would allow pregnant women to rebook trips to these areas free of charge.)

If a pregnant woman absolutely has to visit or already lives in these countries, then they should do their best to avoid bug bites. The CDC has a comprehensive list of recommendations on how to do so found here.

If a pregnant woman has already visited these countries, or currently lives in these countries and has displayed any of the two above symptoms, now is the time to talk to your doctor.

What now?

Honestly, there is still a lot of uncertainty. First, it has not even been conclusively proven that the Zika Virus is causing the microphalyare. Second, no country, not even the US, is prepared to test all of its pregnant moms for this virus. Third, even if they did, there is no cure, no vacination as of yet for this virus.

I will leave this pinned for a while so that anyone who sees useful information can add to it. Please remember, our aim should not be to spread unnecessary fear, but to give each other the most reliable information so that we can all make the best choices.