Florida Department of Health Provides Zika Virus Update During Clinician Conference Call

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Tallahassee, Fla. — Today, the Florida Department of Health hosted a conference call for Florida health care providers to offer an update on clinical guidance for Zika-infected pregnant women and infants. More than 100 OBGYNs, pediatricians, family physicians, and other health care providers participated.

“Zika remains a threat for Floridians, especially pregnant women and their infants after they are born, and women who will become pregnant,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. Celeste Philip. “Clinicians are on the front lines in our fight against Zika, and this call allowed those who provide care to pregnant women and infants to stay up-to-date with the most current guidance and protocols to ensure that they can provide the best care to their patients.”

During the call, representatives from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the University of Miami and Jackson Memorial Hospital provided valuable information regarding Zika testing for pregnant women, the risk of sexual transmission, and prenatal care and delivery planning. They also discussed the challenges associated with evaluation of Zika-exposed infants in the neonatal period and into the first few years of life. Clinicians on the conference call also had the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session with the presenters.

There are currently no areas of ongoing, active transmission of Zika in Florida. However, the department advises residents and visitors to remain vigilant about mosquito bite protection by draining all sources of standing water to keep mosquitoes from breeding and by wearing insect repellent.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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