Pregnancy and Zika

Protect yourself. Know Zika Virus

Pregnant women should not travel to Zika-affected areas. Zika is a serious concern for pregnant women, their partners and couples planning a pregnancy.

  • Pregnant women who become infected can pass the virus to their unborn babies.
  • Men who are infected can pass the virus to their partners during unprotected sex, even if they don't have symptoms. If a partner is pregnant or becomes pregnant, the virus can be passed to the unborn baby.
  • Zika can sometimes cause serious birth defects in babies, including microcephaly. Babies born with microcephaly have smaller than normal heads and less developed brains.
  • Other birth defects caused by Zika include eye and hearing problems, and impaired growth.

Pregnant women and couples planning a pregnancy should take special care to avoid infection with Zika by:

Avoid Travel to Zika-affected Areas:

Zika is currently active in Central America, South American, the Caribbean, the Pacific Islands, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Southeast Asia. A small number of Zika infections have been found in parts of Florida and Texas that were likely spread by mosquitoes. CDC and NYSDOH advise pregnant women against traveling to areas with Zika virus, including certain areas in Florida and Texas. To date, the only cases in New York State are in people who acquired the virus while traveling to Zika-affected areas or through sexual transmission from someone who had traveled to those areas.

If you or your partner must travel to one of these areas, or if you live in an area with Zika:

  • Avoid mosquito bites! Wear protective clothing, use bug spray and stay indoors when possible.
  • Pregnant women whose partners travel to Zika-affected areas should not have sex or should use condoms correctly from start to finish, every time they have sex (vaginal, anal, and oral sex). Pregancy Travel Advisory (color) (PDF, 2MB). Also available in: Spanish, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Haitian Creole
  • Men who are infected with Zika can pass the virus to their partners during unprotected sex, even if they don't have symptoms. If a partner is pregnant or becomes pregnant, the virus can be passed to the unborn baby. They should not have sex, or should use condoms correctly from start to finish, every time they have sex (vaginal, anal or oral) in order to prevent passing the virus to partners.

Avoid Mosquito Bites:

One of the best ways to avoid the Zika virus is to avoid mosquito bites. This is especially important if you or your partner are traveling to a Zika-affected area.

Here's how:

  • Cover up!
    Wear long sleeved shirts and pants.
  • Use bug spray (insect repellent) Find the best one for you here
    Follow the label instructions carefully.
  • To protect a baby or child from mosquito bites:
    Do not use bug spray on babies younger than 2 months of age. Dress children in clothing that covers arms and legs.
  • Keep mosquitoes out of your home or hotel room.
    Look for air conditioning, or screens on windows and doors.

Don't have sex, or use a condom correctly and consistently:

The Zika virus can be spread by sexual contact.

  • Pregnant women whose partners travel to Zika-affected areas should not have sex or should use condoms correctly from start to finish, every time they have sex (vaginal, anal, and oral sex).
  • Men who are infected with Zika can pass the virus to their partners during unprotected sex, even if they don't have symptoms. If a partner is pregnant or becomes pregnant, the virus can be passed to the unborn baby. They should not have sex, or should use condoms correctly from start to finish, every time they have sex (vaginal, anal or oral) in order to prevent passing the virus to partners.

Zika Testing

Zika Testing in NYS (outside NYC):

Zika testing is available to pregnant women who – during or immediately before their pregnancy - have traveled to an area with active Zika virus. Testing is available to pregnant women regardless of whether they had symptoms.

Zika testing is also available for all women who, during pregnancy, had unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex with a partner who traveled to an area with active Zika virus. Testing is available regardless of whether their partner had symptoms.

Testing is free through either New York State and/or New York City. Recently, commercial laboratories have made testing available, and your provider may choose to utilize these tests instead of the testing described here.

For more information on testing, visit Information on Zika Virus Testing Ooutside of New York City Fact Sheet (PDF)

Zika Testing (in NYC):

Testing is free through either New York State and/or New York City. Pregnant women in New York City should refer to the following link: Zika: Do I need to get Tested?

CDC has issued interim guidelines for testing pregnant women returning from Zika virus affected areas.

Additional information about Zika testing:

For more information on Zika and pregnancy:

Frequently Asked Questions

About Mosquito Dunks ® (larvicide)

Statewide Mosquito-borne Disease Activity Report