FRIDAY, Jan. 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has issued a statement and practice advisory in support of new guidelines aimed at shielding pregnant women from the mosquito-borne Zika virus.
According to a statement released late Thursday, ACOG is urging pregnant women and those planning a pregnancy to follow Zika virus travel and health guidelines recently issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"Travel to regions with ongoing Zika virus outbreaks is not recommended for women who are pregnant or women who are considering pregnancy," ACOG President Mark DeFrancesco, M.D., M.B.A., said in the statement. Moreover, he added, "women traveling to areas where Zika virus has been reported should take all precautions to avoid mosquito bites, including covering exposed skin, staying in indoor- or screened-in areas, and using EPA-approved bug spray with DEET."
"Because some women may have traveled to affected areas prior to this advisory, obstetrician-gynecologists and other health care providers should ask all pregnant women about recent travel, and women who have traveled to these regions should be evaluated for Zika virus infection," DeFrancesco advised. "We encourage health care providers and patients to continue to monitor the CDC for updated information."
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