Zika During Pregnancy

The only way to completely prevent Zika infection during pregnancy is to not travel to areas with risk of Zika and to use precautions or avoid sex with someone who has recently traveled to a risk area.

We do not have accurate information on the current level of risk in specific areas. The large outbreak in the Americas is over, but Zika is and will continue to be a potential risk in many countries in the Americas and around the world. No local spread of Zika virus has been reported in the continental United States since 2017.

There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat Zika. If you are considering travel to an area with risk of Zika, talk to your health care provider first. It is important to understand the risks of Zika infection during pregnancy, ways to protect yourself, signs of Zika, and the limitations of Zika testing upon your return.

Factors to Consider If You Travel to or Live in an Area with a Zika Outbreak (red areas on the Zika map) or Other Areas with Risk of Zika (purple areas on the Zika map)

During travel or while living in an area with risk of Zika

• Protective measures:
  • Prevent mosquito bites by using EPA-registered insect repellents and covering skin.
  • Prevent getting Zika infection through sex by using condoms from start to finish every time you have sex (oral, vaginal, or anal) or by not having sex during your pregnancy.

• Accommodations: Stay in places with air conditioning, with window and door screens, or sleep under a mosquito bed net.
• Type and length of exposure: For extended stays, there are steps you can take to control mosquitoes inside and outside, like removing standing water. It’s important for all travelers, including those visiting friends and relatives and those with extended stays, to protect themselves against Zika infection and other mosquito-borne illnesses during the entire visit.

After travel

• After any travel outside the United States during pregnancy, it is important to tell your doctor or health care provider about your travel because of the potential risk of various infectious diseases.
• If you or your partner travel to an area with a Zika outbreak or other areas with risk of Zika:
  • Be alert for symptoms of Zika, including headache, rash, joint pain, red eyes.
  • Take steps to prevent getting Zika through sex by using condoms from start to finish every time you have sex (oral, vaginal, or anal) or by not having sex during your entire pregnancy.

Risk of Zika Infection on Future Pregnancies

Current evidence suggests that Zika infection prior to pregnancy would not pose a risk of birth defects to a future pregnancy. From what we know about similar infections, once a person has been infected with Zika virus, they are likely to be protected from a future Zika infection. Currently, we do not have a test to tell if someone is protected against Zika virus.

If you’re thinking about having a baby in the near future and you or your partner live in or traveled to an area with a Zika outbreak (red areas on the Zika map) or an area with risk of Zika (purple areas on Zika map), talk with your doctor or other healthcare provider. See People Trying to Conceive.