​6/06/16 -ZIKA UPDATES

• CDC Releases MMWR: Interim Guidance for Interpretation of Zika Virus Antibody Test Results
  
• ​CMS Provides Information Bulletin on Zika
  
• ​CDC Continues Weekly Zika Crisis Emergency Risk Communication Teleconferences
  
• ​CDC Hosts Zika Action Plan Teleconference Series
  
• ASTHO Zika Webpage

​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

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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.