Due to the increasing dangers of the Zika virus, federal health and safety officials have advised companies that employ pregnant women, women who are planning to become pregnant and men whose wives or girlfriends are planning pregnancy to consider letting them work indoors if they are in the proximity of areas with Zika transmission.
The new suggestions could place a big burden on various industries that employ outdoor workers, such as construction, agriculture and transportation, if the virus makes its way to the American mainland this summer.
"We recommend employers provide insect repellent with EPA active ingredients and encourage workers to use it," said Jill Shugart, a senior environmental health specialist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who also recommends that employers encourage staff to wear clothing that covers any exposed skin to reduce the chances of a mosquito bite.
"If a worker indicates they are pregnant, we encourage reassignment," she added.
The Zika virus poses the greatest risk of infection from mosquito bites, although the new guidelines also include recognition of its ability to transmit through sexual contact.
The new guidelines are considered interim, meaning that they are not legally enforceable. These kinds of advisory guidelines are common during emergencies like epidemics.
In addition to the aforementioned additions, the interim guidelines also recommend against pregnant women traveling to areas where Zika virus is circulating and suggest that businesses delay travel to these areas for workers who are or plan to become pregnant.
The only American territories currently known to possess Zika transmission are Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa. However, if the virus makes its way to Florida or the Gulf Coast this summer, which the CDC believe is possible, knowing the risk of specific locations will be difficult, although the risk for outdoor workers will be greatest in these areas.
"Not throughout the United States, but pretty much the Gulf Coast and places in U.S. where there's concern about this virus becoming readily transmitted," said Rosemary Sokas, occupational health expert from the Georgetown University Medical Center. "They've already had dengue in Florida and Texas and they're anticipating the same issues with Zika."
