Establishing a Timeline to Discontinue Routine Testing of Asymptomatic Pregnant Women for Zika Virus Infection — American Samoa, 2016–2017

Abstract

What is already known about this topic? CDC recommends Zika virus testing of asymptomatic pregnant women who live in areas with active Zika virus transmission as part of routine obstetric care during the first and second trimesters. Currently, there are no CDC recommendations to guide the discontinuation of testing for asymptomatic pregnant women following the end of Zika virus transmission in a jurisdiction. What is added by this report? Information on Zika virus transmission from the existing enhanced surveillance in American Samoa and current CDC guidance were used to develop criteria for calculating an end date (October 15, 2016) for active mosquito-borne transmission of Zika virus and to propose a timeline for discontinuation of routine screening of asymptomatic pregnant women in American Samoa (conception after December 10, 2016, with permissive testing for asymptomatic pregnant women who conceive through April 15, 2017). What are the implications for public health practice? The rationale described in this report might be adapted by similar jurisdictions with small populations and a potential for interruption of Zika virus transmission to help guide decisions about when to discontinue routine screening of asymptomatic pregnant women for Zika virus infection following the end of active mosquito-borne transmission.