On April 22, the CDC and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced new guidance to facilitate the protection of outdoor workers, healthcare and lab workers, business travelers and individuals working in mosquito control from exposure to the Zika virus.
The safety recommendations include common sense measures like wearing clothing that covers skin for those who work outdoors in areas where Zika is likely to spread, the promotion of good hand hygiene among those who work in medical or laboratory settings and delaying travel plans to regions where Zika is prevalent for employees who are pregnant or have sexual partners who may become pregnant.
The guidance is categorized as "interim" and will be updated as the CDC continues to gather information on the means of transmission and adverse health effects caused by the Zika virus.
The CDC has recently expanded the scope of the potential Zika threat in the continental U.S. On April 13, the agency confirmed the link between Zika and the birth defect microcephaly.
More articles on the Zika virus:
Republican leaders say they need more answers before approving Zika funds
Dr. Anthony Fauci says US should expect Zika outbreaks this summer
Infographic: Where in the US have Zika cases been reported? [April 15 update]