Zika

If you suspect Zika virus infection or have questions about diagnosis, testing, or Zika affected areas, please call Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) at 602-506-6767 within 24 hours Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On weekends and after hours, call 602-747-7111.

To date, all cases in Maricopa County have been travel-associated. Areas that have had locally-acquired transmission include Africa, Asia, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Approximately 1 in 5 people infected with Zika virus will become ill (see patient Screening Criteria below). Incubation period is 3-14 days.

Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause birth defects such as microcephaly. It is believed that approximately 1 in 10 Zika infections during pregnancy leads to birth defects. CDC has issued an advisory for pregnant women to avoid travel to Zika affected areas.

Depending on the patient's travel history, other arboviral infections might be included in the differential, including chikungunya and dengue. Chikungunya and dengue often circulate in the same areas as Zika and are clinically indistinguishable. Please test for all three.  Note: most major commercial laboratories are capable of testing for Zika virus infection. 

Go to latest ADHS Testing Algorithms for Zika virus
Go to MCDPH Provider Toolkit on Zika Virus (printable guidance docs and handouts)

  1. Office of Epidemiology & Data Services


    Physical Address
    4041 N Central Avenue
    Phoenix, AZ 85012

Phone:


602-506-6767

Fax:


602-372-8935
  1. Pregnant Women
  2. Men & Non-Pregnant Women
  3. Infants
  4. Handouts & Training
Screening Criteria 

  1. Appropriate travel/border commuter history (see list of affected areas) during pregnancy or the 6 weeks prior to last menstrual period, 8 weeks prior to conception, or unprotected sexual contact with someone who traveled or lived in an area with ongoing Zika virus transmission regardless of symptoms; OR
  2. For patients without a known exposure history (see above) and clinical suspicion of Zika, the following screening criteria should be considered:  Maculopapular rash AND at least two of the following: acute onset of fever, arthralgia, or conjunctivitis

*IgM test results in pregnant women exposed to Zika virus more than 12 weeks prior must be interpreted with caution and cannot rule out Zika virus infection. CDC recommends PCR testing of asymptomatic pregnant women once per trimester. Ongoing monitoring of pregnant mother and fetus for signs of microcephaly, intracranial calcifications, and small size for gestational age are recommended. Please consult with MCDPH to determine if testing at birth is recommended  by calling 602-506-6767 Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On weekends and after hours, call 602-747-7111.

Diagnostics

Refer to Arizona Department of Health Services Zika testing algorithm (PDF) for complete testing guidelines and recommendations for follow-up testing. 

Most major commercial laboratories are capable of testing for Zika virus infection. Please check with your laboratory provider for testing availability and specimen shipping recommendations.

If your laboratory provider is unable to test for Zika and the patient meets screening criteria, testing can be arranged through MCDPH by calling 602-506-6767 Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Testing availability is dependent on laboratory resources, and all testing through the Arizona State Public Health Laboratory must be approved by MCDPH prior to submitting specimens.

NOTE: Remember to consider simultaneous testing for chikungunya and dengue.

Treatment
No specific antiviral therapy is available for Zika virus disease. Treatment is supportive and may include rest, fluids and analgesics and antipyretics.
NOTE: Rule out dengue before prescribing NSAIDS.

Prevention and Counseling

  • Women planning to become pregnant who live in or travel to a Zika-affected area should see a healthcare provider to discuss Zika prevention and avoiding unnecessary travel.
  • Advise males with travel to Zika-affected areas who have a pregnant sex partner to use condoms or to abstain from sex for 3 months or the duration of the pregnancy, whichever is longer. 
  • Advise females with travel to Zika-affected areas who have a pregnant sex partner to use condoms or to abstain from sex for 8 weeks or the duration of the pregnancy, whichever is longer.
  • It is extremely important to communicate that Zika is sexually transmissible regardless of gender.
  • Counsel patients to delay attempts at conception for the recommended time period below until the couples' risk of Zika is minimal.
    • Female partner traveled to an area with local Zika transmission – 8 weeks after last possible exposure or after symptoms start.
    • Male partner traveled to an area with local Zika transmission - 3 months after last possible exposure or after symptoms start.
  • It is extremely important that patients with possible recent Zika exposure avoid mosquito bites during the first three weeks post-travel or onset date to avoid transmission of the virus to mosquitoes locally. Please educate patients and families about mosquito bite prevention.
Resources

Please refer to the following websites for more detailed information: