The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has published new and revised Zika virus resources for physicians on its website.

The evolving Zika virus outbreak and science have presented challenges for providers who are asked to educate, counsel, screen, monitor and manage patients with Zika virus exposure. “We hope these resources will aid health care providers in meeting the needs of California’s families,” the agency said.

These materials can be accessed through the CDPH Zika webpage.

The new resources include: 1) CDPH Zika Screening Algorithm; 2) CDPH Zika Virus Information for Healthcare Providers; 3) Zika Virus Exposure Patient Self-Assessment, English and Spanish; 4) Evaluation and Follow-Up Procedures for Suspected Congenital Zika Virus Infection – Fetus, Newborn and Infant; 5) Risk-based Testing for Local Zika Virus Transmission; and 6) Patient Educational Materials.

In addition to these California-specific materials, CDPH is also highlighting a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) program called Zika Care Connect (ZCC), a new resource being developed by the agency in collaboration with March of Dimes. ZCC establishes a network (searchable online) of specialized health care providers who can care for patients and families affected by the Zika virus. 

“ZCC will help California families find specialty health care services, and health care providers can also use ZCC as a resource for coordinating care for patients affected by Zika who need access to other specialists."

For more information about Zika Care Connect, contact Lindsay Rechtman at lrechtman@mcking.com or (404) 683-4394), or Chrissy Hillard at vns3@cdc.gov or (404) 498-3819.

Total of 505 Zika infections identified in California

According to CDPH, there have been a total of 505 Zika infections identified in California, with six new infections reported in the week of February 24, 2017. Not one of these infections was locally acquired. Cumulatively, there have been six infections due to sexual transmissions, with the number of infections in pregnant women totaling 88. There have been four infants born with birth defects caused by the Zika virus.