Zika is a mosquito-borne virus that is currently causing outbreaks in many countries. Zika virus can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus, and infection during pregnancy can cause microcephaly and other birth defects.
Despite these observations, very little is known regarding the risks of Zika virus infection during pregnancy. Click here for more information about Zika from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including symptoms, diagnoses, treatment, prevention, and specific information for pregnant women.
Zika Pregnancy Registry: CDC has created the Zika Pregnancy Registry to ensure complete and accurate case reporting and to develop more comprehensive information on the effects of Zika infections during pregnancy. The North Carolina Division of Public Health (NC DPH) is currently working with CDC to enroll all pregnant women with positive or indeterminate Zika virus test results in the Pregnancy Registry.
Click here to find national and North Carolina specific provider information regarding testing and the Zika Pregnancy Registry.
Surveillance and Reporting: Physicians and laboratories are required to report suspected or confirmed Zika virus infections. Please contact the North Carolina Communicable Disease Branch at 919-733-3419 or your local health department if Zika virus infection is suspected and for questions related to the Pregnancy Registry.
Testing for Zika: Testing for Zika virus is available at the State Laboratory of Public Health and is now also available commercially. Approval is required for submission of specimens to the State Laboratory of Public Health. Please contact the Communicable Disease Branch at 919-733-3419 or your local health department to facilitate testing. If the state or local health department is not immediately available, consider collecting the appropriate specimens from the patient and holding them pending approval.
Testing for Zika virus is available at:
NC SLPH: http://slph.ncpublichealth.com/zika/default.asp
Quest Diagnostics: http://www.questdiagnostics.com/home/professional-specialty-identified.html
Contact the NCSLPH at 919-807-8600 prior to any shipment to the SLPH or if you have additional questions.
Address all specimen shipments as follows:
Attention: Virology/Serology Unit
North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health
4312 District Drive
Raleigh, NC 27607