The CDC on Monday issued updated guidance for Zika testing in pregnant women, according to an early release of the agency's most recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
The agency no longer recommends all pregnant women with possible Zika exposure bet tested for the virus. Instead, symptomatic pregnant women with possible Zika exposure and asymptomatic pregnant women with ongoing Zika exposure should be tested, according to the CDC. Asymptomatic women with past exposure to Zika should no longer be routinely tested for Zika unless patient and provider jointly decide testing would be helpful.
The updated guidance hinges upon the reduced prevalence of the Zika virus and the limitations of the most commonly used blood test for Zika, which can often yield false-positives. The CDC continues to recommend pregnant women not travel to areas with active Zika transmission.
"If pregnant women must travel, CDC recommends strict adherence to strategies to prevent mosquito bites and sexual transmission," said the agency in the report. "Couples wishing to conceive should receive preconception counseling about how to minimize risks for Zika virus infection. Other persons at risk for Zika virus exposure should receive information on travel and strategies to prevent mosquito bites and sexual transmission."
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