Infant feeding in areas of Zika virus transmission

ABSTRACT

July 4, 2016 - The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Monday (4) an update of the provisional guidance on breastfeeding in the context of zika. As already announced in the first version of the guide, released in February this year, there is no evidence that the virus is transmitted during lactation. Therefore, mothers with suspected infection, probable or confirmed should continue breastfeeding their babies normally. The WHO recommendation is that, within an hour after birth, mothers initiate breastfeeding; infants should be fed exclusively on breast milk until six months of age. From that period, breastfeeding must remain up to two years of age or older, with the timely introduction of other adequate and safe food. Mothers and families of babies born with congenital abnormalities, such as microcephaly, should also be supported to breastfeed their babies in accordance with the recommendations of PAHO / WHO.