Zika virus transmission was detected in the Region of the Americas (Americas) in 
Brazil in May 2015, and as of March 21, 2016, local mosquito-borne transmission 
of Zika virus had been reported in 32 countries and territories in the Americas, 
including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.* Most persons infected with 
Zika virus have a mild illness or are asymptomatic. However, increasing evidence 
supports a link between Zika virus infection during pregnancy and adverse 
pregnancy and birth outcomes (1), and a possible association between recent Zika 
virus infection and Guillain-Barré syndrome has been reported (2). Although Zika 
virus is primarily transmitted through the bite of Aedes species of mosquitoes, 
sexual transmission also has been documented (3). Zika virus RNA has been 
detected in a number of body fluids, including blood, urine, saliva, and 
amniotic fluid (3-5), and whereas transmission associated with occupational 
exposure to these body fluids is theoretically possible, it has not been 
documented. Although there are no reports of transmission of Zika virus from 
infected patients to health care personnel or other patients, minimizing 
exposures to body fluids is important to reduce the possibility of such 
transmission. CDC recommends Standard Precautions in all health care settings to 
protect both health care personnel and patients from infection with Zika virus 
as well as from blood-borne pathogens (e.g., human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] 
and hepatitis C virus [HCV]) (6). Because of the potential for exposure to large 
volumes of body fluids during the labor and delivery process and the sometimes 
unpredictable and fast-paced nature of obstetrical care, the use of Standard 
Precautions in these settings is essential to prevent possible transmission of 
Zika virus from patients to health care personnel.