WHO Issues Guidance on Ebola Virus Disease in Pregnancy

There is no evidence to show that women who survive Ebola virus disease (EVD) and subsequently become pregnant pose a risk for Ebola virus transmission. However, pregnant women with active EVD and pregnant women who survive EVD without pregnancy loss may transmit the virus during delivery and/or management of obstetric complications. Pregnant women who are contacts of confirmed Ebola cases pose a potential risk.

A new document from the World Health Organization (WHO), "Interim Guidance on Ebola Virus Disease in Pregnancy," provides guidance for screening and triage of pregnant women in the context of an Ebola outbreak; infection prevention and control (IPC) precautions for pregnant women at risk of EVD transmission during childbirth and complication management; management of pregnant EVD cases, contacts and survivors; and lactation and Ebola virus disease.