FAQs • Englewood, NJ • CivicEngage

Can a previous Zika virus infection cause someone who later becomes pregnant to have an infant with microcephaly?: We do not know the exact risk to the baby if a woman is infected with the Zika virus while she is pregnant. However, Zika virus infection does not pose a risk of birth defects in future pregnancies. Zika virus usually remains in the blood of an infected person for about a week. The virus will not cause infections in a baby that is conceived after the virus is cleared from the blood.

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Health Department - Resources - Information/Services For Residents - Zika Virus Public Information Update (Zika Virus Transmission / Infectivity)

1. Is Zika contagious? How does it spread?: Most people who are infected were bitten by an infected mosquito. There has been one report of the possible spread of the virus through blood transfusion and a few reports of sexual transmission.

2. What is the incubation period for Zika?: Symptoms usually begin 2 to 7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito and last several days to a week.

3. Who is at highest risk for getting infected with Zika?: Anyone who is living in or traveling to an area where the Zika virus is found, who has not already been infected with the Zika virus, is at risk for infection.

4. Are you immune for life once infected?: Once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections.

5. Can mothers pass Zika on to babies?: Zika virus can be passed from the mother to her baby during pregnancy. This mode of transmission is being investigated. To date, there are no reports of infants getting Zika through breastfeeding, although the virus has been identified in breast milk. Because the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the risk of acquiring Zika, mothers are encouraged to breastfeed, even in areas where the Zika virus is found.

6. Can Zika be spread during breastfeeding?: To date, there are no reports of infants getting Zika through breastfeeding. Because of the benefits of breastfeeding, mothers are encouraged to breastfeed even in areas where the Zika virus is found. Mothers who are breastfeeding in areas where the Zika virus is found should practice mosquito prevention measures such as using insect repellent.

7. Can Zika be sexually transmitted?: There has been one report of the possible spread of the virus through blood transfusion and a few reports of sexual transmission, but the primary method of transmitting Zika is through the bite of an infected mosquito.

8. Is CDC going to release recommendations about the sexual transmission of Zika virus?: Guidance is pending from the CDC on the Zika virus and sexual transmission.

9. Can a previous Zika virus infection cause someone who later becomes pregnant to have an infant with microcephaly?: We do not know the exact risk to the baby if a woman is infected with the Zika virus while she is pregnant. However, Zika virus infection does not pose a risk of birth defects in future pregnancies. Zika virus usually remains in the blood of an infected person for about a week. The virus will not cause infections in a baby that is conceived after the virus is cleared from the blood.

10. If a woman who is not pregnant is bitten by a mosquito and infected with Zika virus, will her future pregnancies be at risk?: No. If infected, the Zika virus usually remains in the blood of an infected person for about a week. The virus will not cause infections in a baby that is conceived after the virus is cleared from the blood.