What are the recommended management strategies for pregnant women who may have been exposed to Zika virus?

Recommended management strategies for pregnant women who may have been exposed to Zika virus include:

• Avoidance of pregnancy during travel: Advise women to avoid becoming pregnant during travel to areas with active Zika virus transmission to reduce risk to the fetus.
• Mosquito bite prevention: Counsel on mosquito bite avoidance measures both day and night, especially during peak mosquito activity times (mid-morning and late afternoon to dusk), as Zika is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.
• Post-travel conception delay: If the woman’s male partner did not travel, advise avoiding conception and using barrier contraception for 2 months from symptom onset or departure from a Zika-affected area. If the male partner did travel, extend this period to 3 months.
• Specialist referral and monitoring: Pregnant women with suspected or confirmed Zika virus exposure should be referred for specialist fetal monitoring to detect congenital abnormalities such as microcephaly and other features of congenital Zika syndrome.
• Information and support: Provide up-to-date information from Public Health England and National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) resources on Zika virus risks and prevention.

These strategies aim to prevent maternal infection and reduce the risk of severe fetal outcomes associated with congenital Zika syndrome.

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