Zika Information and Resources

Zika virus disease is caused by the Zika virus, which is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting up to a week, and many people do not have symptoms or will have only mild symptoms. However, Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly and other severe brain defects. There has not been any local transmission of Zika in Louisiana to date.

What you need to know about Zika:

• Zika primarily spreads through infected mosquitoes. You can also get Zika through sex. Click here to learn more about methods of transmission.
• The best way to prevent Zika is to prevent mosquito bites. Use an EPA-registered mosquito repellent, stay in places with air conditioning or window and door screens, and remove standing water from around your home. Click here for more information about preventing Zika.
• Zika is linked to birth defects. Zika infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly that is a sign of incomplete brain development. Doctors have also found other problems in pregnancies and among fetuses and infants infected with Zika virus before birth. If you are pregnant and have a partner who lives in or has traveled to an area with Zika, do not have sex, or use condoms the right way, every time, during your pregnancy. Pregnant women should not travel to areas with Zika. Click here for more information about Zika and pregnancy.

It’s important to include Zika in your travel plans. Check the CDC’s website for travel recommendations before your trip.

The Louisiana Department of Health is committed to protecting the citizens of Louisiana by minimizing the risks from the Zika virus.

Zika Resources

If you believe you might be infected, take measures to prevent mosquito bites and consult a physician immediately. If you are planning to travel to a Zika infected area, especially if you are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant, talk to your doctor about the risks.

Certain Medicaid beneficiaries may be eligible for insect repellant prescription, condoms, and diagnostic testing. To find out more, look below in the resources section or talk to your doctor. Medicaid signup can be found here.

• Top Questions on Zika: Simple Answers - Association of State and Territiorial Health Officials
• Resources for healthcare providers
• Interim Guidance for Sexual Transmission of Zika Virus
• Zika Presentation by Dr. Frank Welch (Recorded Video)
  • Click here for Presentation File
• Medicaid service coverage associated with Zika
• Ideas for Talking to your Children about Zika
• Mosquito Bites are Bad!
• Parish by parish mosquito control contact information
• CDC Fact Sheets & Posters in Multi-Languages

Public Service Announcements

• Rural Community - 15 second video
• Rural Community - 30 second video
• Suburban Community - 15 second video
• Suburban Community - 30 second video

Schools and Day Care

• CDC Zika Virus Interim Guidance for District and School Administrators
• LDH Prevention Guidelines for Schools and Child Care Facilities
• CDC Talking to Your Children about Zika
• Stop Mosquito Bites
• Zika Protect Yourself From Mosquito Bites
• For Parents-A Positive Zika Test
• CDC Zika Activity Book

Medicaid service coverage associated with Zika

Prevention through Family Planning Services, Repellants and Prevention of Exposure

Family Planning

For pregnant women with a male partner who has traveled to an area of active Zika transmission or has been diagnosed with Zika, the CDC recommends:

• Use condoms consistently and correctly or abstain from sex for the duration of the pregnancy.
• Sex includes vaginal, anal, and oral (mouth-to-penis) sex.

For women of child bearing age and men, and who have been to an area with Zika, the CDC recommends:

• If the woman has symptoms, use condoms or abstain after symptoms starts for at least 8 weeks.
• If the woman has no symptoms, use condoms or abstain for at least 8 weeks after exposure.
• If the man has symptoms, use condoms or abstain after symptoms starts for at least 6 months.
• If the man has no symptoms, use condoms or abstain for at least 8 weeks and talk to your healthcare provider.

Repellants and Prevention of Exposure

Pregnant women and Medicaid beneficiaries of child bearing age should take steps to prevent mosquito bites by using EPA registered insect repellents as directed, avoiding travel to areas with Zika, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, utilizing window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside, and staying away from mosquito breeding sites such as areas of standing water. 

Louisiana Medicaid Services  Coverage of condoms for Medicaid Beneficiaries of child bearing age. Medicaid providers are alerted that it is imperative to counsel about sexual transmission prevention among women of child bearing age and men. Medicaid providers are alerted to counsel Medicaid benficiaries of child bearing age on repellent use and mosquito exposure prevention strategies. Coverage of certain EPA registered insect repellants will be implemented when local mosquito-borne transmission of Zika virus has occurred and prescribed for: All pregnant women. Medicaid beneficiaries (women and men ages 14-44) who are trying to conceive.

 

Detection of Zika Infection

The CDC currently recommends testing for Zika among people with Zika symptoms AND among women who are pregnant and have traveled to a Zika affected area or have had unprotected sex with a man who has recently traveled to a Zika affected area regardless of whether she is symptomatic.  Implementation of testing would be of no additional cost to Medicaid.

Louisiana Medicaid Services  Coverage of Zika testing for the following Medicaid Beneficiaries: Members who traveled to an area with Zika and have symptoms. Pregnant women who traveled to an area with Zika OR have had unprotected sex with a man who has recently traveled to a Zika affected area.

 

Medicaid Repellant Prescription Information

Mosquito repellent shall be covered as a pharmacy benefit when local mosquito-borne transmission of Zika virus has occurred. The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) will notify providers when coverage will be implemented.

Coverage will be limited to Medicaid recipients:

1. Who are pregnant OR
2. of childbearing years (women and men ages 14-44) who are trying to conceive

Repellants approved for coverage for eligible Medicaid beneficiaries are:

One bottle of mosquito repellent every rolling 30 days will be allowed. A prescription will be required to cover one of the following products:

Product Name	Ounces	UPC	“NDC”
Cutter Backwoods 25% Spray	6 oz.	71121962805	71121-0962-80
Cutter Skinsations 7% Spray	6 oz.	16500540106	16500-0540-10
OFF! Family Care 15% Spray	2.5 oz.	46500710377	46500-0710-37
OFF! Deep Woods Dry 25% Spray	4 oz.	46500717642	46500-0717-64
OFF! Deep Woods 25% Spray	6 oz.	46500018428	46500-0018-42
OFF! Active 15% Spray	6 oz.	46500018107	46500-0018-10
Repel Sportsmen 25% Spray	6.5 oz.	11423941375	11423-0941-37
Repel Sportsmen Max 40% Spray	6.5 oz.	11423003387	11423-0003-38

 

Zika is a reportable disease in Louisiana. If you suspect Zika, immediately contact the Louisiana Office of Public Health Infectious Disease Epidemiology hotline

(800) 256-2748 for testing & treatment guidance.

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