Talk about Zika now part of prenatal care in Manatee

Pregnant women in Manatee County and those planning to get pregnant in the near future are not in a Zika panic mode, but they are concerned and want information.

That analysis on Monday from Dr. A. “Jothi” Jothivijayarani, a specialist in obstetrics, gynecology and primary care at Pinnacle Medical Group in Manatee County, indicates that conversation between a doctor and a patient about Zika has now become an essential part of prenatal care in Manatee.

Zika is the first time scientists have seen a devastating birth defect like microcephaly resulting from a mosquito-borne disease, even among asymptomatic women.

“They are asking for a lot of information,” Jothi said from her office at 315 75th St. W., Bradenton. “It is out there in the news and they are concerned. I think there is no panic yet because everyone is just trying to learn more and increase their knowledge about it.”

Dr. Aileen Marty, professor of Infectious Diseases in the Department of Medicine at Florida International University, told the Miami Herald that the Zika virus appears to be attracted to stem cells that would otherwise become brain cells.

“It basically tells the brain cell not to keep on maturing,” Marty said.

A child with a normal-looking brain born to a Zika-infected woman could have learning disabilities and other problems later when they are older and going to school. Scientists still don’t know yet how far-ranging the virus’ impacts might be on children.

The virus has ripped through Latin America, the Caribbean and shown up in clusters in Miami. All of this is just now beginning to bubble up to Manatee, Jothi said.

“Zika has been that thing in Brazil or Miami,” Jothi said. “But now every woman wants to know if their baby will be safe.”

South Florida is still is carrying the label as the nation’s Zika hot spot with at least 17 cases of locally acquired Zika infection, according to the Miami Herald.

Also, many of the 55 pregnant Floridians who have been tested positive for Zika infection, all of whom traveled outside the continental U.S., are being treated at South Florida medical centers.

But Manatee County has already had several travel-related cases of Zika, which bring concern, Jothi said.

Jothi is telling her patients that if they do not travel to Zika-impacted areas, they should go ahead with their pregnancy plans and just take precautions by wearing clothing that covers the entire body and back that up with mosquito repellant.

She is also telling both her male and female patients if they do travel to South America and other countries and test positive for Zika when they return, they should avoid pregnancy for six months.

“Since this virus can be transmitted sexually, we are also recommending the use of condoms,” Jothi said.

Manatee women concerned that they might have the Zika infection can immediately contact the Florida Department of Health, Manatee, 410 Sixth Ave. E., Bradenton, and receive a free Zika test, said Sarah Revell, a Florida Department of Health spokeswoman.

The Manatee Department of Health can be reached at 941-748-0747.

There are no statistics yet on how many men and women have been tested in Manatee since Gov. Rick Scott authorized free Zika testing on Aug. 3, Revell said.

“We will share more information on the number of pregnant women tested as soon as it is available,” Revell said.

This story was originally published August 8, 2016 at 5:52 PM with the headline "Talk about Zika now part of prenatal care in Manatee."