Zika Virus

Texas Medicaid added Mosquito Repellent to Formularies

• Effective August 9, 2016, Texas Medicaid added mosquito repellent products to the Texas Medicaid and CHIP formularies. The repellent products were added for the prevention, detection, and response to the Zika virus. 
  • These benefits are available for:
    • Fee for Service Texas Medicaid
    • Medicaid Managed Care
    • Children with Special Healthcare Needs (CSHCN) Services Program
    • Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
    • CHIP Perinatal
    • Healthy Texas Women
    • Family Planning program
  • These Medicaid programs will cover mosquito repellents when prescribed by a physician.
  • Click here to learn more about who is eligible and how to prescribe the mosquito repellent.

What You Need to Know as a Health Care Provider

• What is Zika virus infection?
• Does my patient have Zika?
• Does my patient meet the criteria for Zika testing? Where can I send the specimen for testing?
  For the Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services (HCPHES), call 713-439-6000; for the City of Houston Health Department (HHD), call 832-393-5169.
• How can my patients reduce their risk of getting Zika?
• Sexual Transmission of Zika Virus
• Caring for Pregnant Women
• Caring for Infants and Children
• How can I find the right insect repellent for my patients?

Tools for Healthcare Providers

• Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services (HCPHES)  - Zika Toolkit
• Texas Dept of State Health Services (HHS) - Texas Zika Communications Toolkit

    Testing Algorithms:

• Pregnant women with history of travel to an area with Zika
• Pregnant women residing in an area with Zika

    Evaluation and Testing of Infants:

• Infants whose mothers traveled to or resided in an area with Zika during pregnancy
• Measuring Head Circumference in Infants (Spanish)

    Fact Sheets on Testing for Zika:

• For men: A positive Zika virus test, what does it mean for me?  
• For parents: A positive Zika virus test, what does it mean for my child? (Spanish)

    Preconception Counseling:

• Guide for men and women living in areas with Zika
• Counseling Travelers

Consultation Services

• CDC Consultation Service (For health officials and physicians caring for pregnant women) Or contact 770-488-7100 or ZIKAMCH@cdc.gov.
• Regional Dept of State Health Services Zoonosis Control - 713-767-3300 (main office), 713-767-3000 (24/7)  

Zika Resources

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
  • Interim Guidance for Health Care Providers Caring for Pregnant Women with Possible Zika Virus Exposure - July 2017
  • Guidance for Healthcare Providers
  • Information for Clinicians - English PowerPoint (Spanish PowerPoint)
• Texas Dept of State Health Services (HHS)
• City of Houston Health Department
• Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services (HCPHES)
• Texas Medical Association (TMA)
• American Medical Association (AMA) Zika Resource Center
• Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)