CDC Releases MMWR: Interim Guidance for Interpretation of Zika Virus Antibody Test Results CDC published an MMWR, “Interim Guidance for Interpretation of Zika Virus Antibody Test Results,” on Tuesday, May 31. According to the MMWR article, because of the differences in recommended clinical management of Zika and dengue virus infections and the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women infected with Zika virus during pregnancy, a conservative approach to the interpretation of antibody test results is necessary to reduce the possibility of a missed diagnosis of either infections.
CMS Provides Information Bulletin on Zika On June 2, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released an informational bulletin to inform Medicaid agencies and interested stakeholders about how Medicaid services and authorities can help states and territories prevent, detect, and respond to the Zika virus, including efforts to prevent the transmission and address health risks to beneficiaries from the Zika virus. The informational bulletin can be accessed on Medicaid.gov at http://www.medicaid.gov/Federal-Policy-Guidance/Federal-Policy-Guidance.html.
CDC Continues Weekly Zika Crisis Emergency Risk Communication Teleconferences To address the communication concerns and needs of state, local, and territorial health communicators and communicators in partner organizations, CDC is hosting a series of crisis and emergency risk communication (CERC) teleconferences related to Zika issues. The next session in the series will be held from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. EDT on June 7. The session, “CERC, Risk Attributes, and Pregnancy,” will address understanding risk perceptions when facing a new, emerging threat like Zika virus. The session will explore what attributes of risk cause more concern and why. Interested participants may access the session using the information shown below. Audio Conference Access Information: 1-800-369-1662 (U.S. Callers) 1-203-827-7082 (International Callers) Passcode: 3266392
CDC Hosts Zika Action Plan Teleconference Series As a follow up to the April 1st Zika Action Plan Summit, CDC will host a series of six teleconferences to address the most common challenges jurisdictions are facing in the development and implementation of their Zika Action Plans. The next call is scheduled forWednesday June 8th at 2:00pm ET, and will discuss Zika epidemiology. Slides from previous calls can be found on the ZAP Summit Follow Up Teleconference website
ASTHO maintains the webpage, Zika Virus: Information for States and Territories to keep state and territorial health agencies informed with current information, guidance, and materials about the Zika outbreak. Resources include Top Questions on Zika: Simple Answers, an ASTHO guide to assist health officials when communicating with the public, media, and policy makers.
7/8/16 -The Bureau of Laboratories and Zika Virus Testing
Teresa Miller, Chemical Threat Response Training Coordinator, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Laboratories
The Bureau of Laboratories, Michigan’s Public Health Laboratory began testing human clinical samples for Zika virus on May 9, 2016. Michigan is not a geographical hot zone for Zika virus. Our public health laboratory has allied with notable public health officials to perform clinical sample analysis for suspected human cases. Analysis of these clinical samples will aid epidemiologists and other scientific entities in finding definitive answers to concerns about contraction and spread of this viremic disease. Although the Bureau of Laboratories is not a research facility, characteristics of identified viral illness will aid in the quest for answers to our scientific questions about this virus.
Zika Tools For Healthcare Providers The Centers for Disease Control released tools for healthcare providers to diagnose Zika infection. These include testing algorithms and head circumference measurement guidance. Read More>>
NEHA Hosts Zika Risk Communication Webinar
via Michigan Department of Health and Human Services | Bureau of EMS, Trauma and Preparedness The National Environmental Health Association will host a webinar from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 6. “Making it Stick: Risk Communication in Times of Zika” will explore how risk communication can be used in changing situations and how to best communicate the risks in a way that increases knowledge and minimizes confusion. Registration is available online. URL: http://neha.org/node/39899
Clinicians Caring for Pregnant Women and Women of Reproductive Age
UPDATED: Tools for Healthcare Providers View printable and easy to use CDC fact sheets, guidance documents, and testing algorithms for Zika virus infection. http://www.cdc.gov/zika/hc-providers/tools.html
April 12 Zika COCA Call Materials Archived on Web
Updated Interim Zika Clinical Guidance for Reproductive Age Women and Men, Sexual Transmission of Zika, and the U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry Date: Tuesday, April 12, 2016 During this COCA Call, Clinicians learned about: ● Updated CDC interim guidance for on caring for reproductive age women and men with possible Zika exposure ● CDC interim guidance for prevention of sexual transmission of Zika ● Preventing transmission of Zika virus in labor and delivery settings ● Interpreting pediatric testing guidance ● US Zika Pregnancy Registry http://emergency.cdc.gov/coca/calls/2016/callinfo_041216.asp
The webinar will include information and resources from two local health departments who are addressing mosquito surveillance and control. They will share what practical and replicable efforts they are carrying out in their communities to prepare for and respond to Zika. Quality improvement methods and processes such as self-assessments, project plans, and the Vector Control Population Health Driver Diagram will also be shared.
The Centers for Disease Control created a new Zika widget that can be added to any website. The widget provides easy access to updated Zika information. Read More>>
*NEW* Weekly Zika Call - August 31, 2106, 10-11 am