Zika Virus - What You Need to Know

Zika Virus has officially reached the United States. As of today the World Health Organization said it was "spreading explosively" causing widespread panic, especially among parents-to-be.

That's because the virus is known to cause microcephaly, "a rare condition in which infants are born with abnormally small heads." In some cases it can be fatal. 

Zika has now spread to at least 24 countries. The Center for Disesase Control is recommending that pregnant women do not travel to the following countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Cape Verde, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Saint Martin, Suriname, Samoa, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico. 

If you are pregnant and have travelled to any of these areas it is important that you get screened right away.

We talked to Dr. Alicia C. Saunders, obstetrician at OBGYN Westside in Manhattan. She said, "We don't want women to panic but we do want them to take the warnings seriously. Zika Virus is spread by mosquitos and can't be 'caught' from another person who has the virus or who has been exposed to it."

As for whether or not she believes the virus will spread, Dr. Saunders said, "As far as we know, it is not in the U.S. mosquito population yet, but we do expect it to show up in Florida and some other southern areas in the U.S. this spring/summer. So far, all U.S. cases are a result of people who have traveled to other countries and come back with the infection. If you think you have been exposed, you should talk to your provider. There is no treatment or vaccine and routine blood testing is not recommended unless someone has symptoms within two weeks of exposure."

Here's what you need to know, according to the CDC:

What is Zika Virus?