Infants With Congenital Zika Virus Infection A New Challenge for Early Intervention Professionals

Zika virus infection-associated microcephaly has generated public health and media concern. Unsettling images emerging from Brazil of infants with abnormally small heads have raised concern among women of childbearing age, international travelers, government officials, and health care professionals. The World Health Organization declared the most recent, ongoing Zika virus infection outbreak a "public health emergency of international concern." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working to understand the impact of Zika virus infection in the United States and elsewhere. Zika virus is a mosquito-transmitted Flavivirus that can also be transmitted through sexual contact. Congenital Zika virus infection is a cause of microcephaly and other serious neurological harm to the fetus. The early intervention professional should understand Zika virus infection including the geographical risk, etiology, epidemiology, and potential developmental impact. Still evolving clinical, policy, and research implications for early intervention professionals need to be based on the context of emerging scientific information. It is important for early intervention professionals to remain attentive, as scientific knowledge concerning the impact of congenital Zika virus infection in infants and families will be evolving for years to come.