FactSheet

Interim Guidance for Protecting Workers

from Occupational Exposure to Zika Virus

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute 

for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) are monitoring the impact of the Zika virus 

on U.S. states and territories, Central and South America, Mexico, and parts of the 

Caribbean. For the most up-to-date information, check the Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention (CDC) Zika website frequently. 

Vectors that can transmit Zika virus are or have been previously found in U.S. territories 

and some U.S. states. Although active Zika virus transmission has been detected in 

some areas of the United States, most cases of Zika virus have been travel-associated. 

Workers who are exposed on the job to mosquitoes or the blood or other body fluids 

of infected individuals may be at risk for occupationally acquired Zika virus infection. 

This interim guidance provides employers and workers, including workers who are or 

may become pregnant or whose sexual partners are or may become pregnant, with 

information and guidance on preventing occupational exposure to the Zika virus. The 

guidance may be updated as additional information becomes available.

Introduction

Zika virus is primarily spread through the bites 

of infected mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can become 

infected when they bite infected people and can 

then spread the Zika virus to other people they 

subsequently bite. Many people infected with 

Zika virus won’t have symptoms or will only have 

mild symptoms; however, Zika infection during 

pregnancy can cause serious birth defects. 

Zika virus historically has been found in Africa, 

Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. The first 

case was identified in the Zika Forest in Uganda in 

1947.1

 In 2015, cases of Zika virus were reported in 

the Americas and the Caribbean.

Visit the CDC Areas with Zika website to learn 

where cases of local mosquito-borne transmission 

of Zika virus disease have been reported and where 

there is active transmission. 

Zika virus has the potential to spread anywhere 

that mosquitoes capable of transmitting the virus 

are found. Aedes species mosquitoes are the 

principal vectors (i.e., carriers) of Zika virus in the 

1. Hayes, Edward B. (1994). Zika Virus Outside Africa. Emerging 

Infectious Diseases, 15(9), 1347–1350.

U.S. Aedes aegypti (commonly known as yellow 

fever mosquitoes) are typically concentrated in the 

southern U.S. as well as parts of the Southwest. 

Another vector for Zika virus is Aedes albopictus 

(commonly known as Asian Tiger mosquitoes),

which are found in much of the southern and 

eastern part of the U.S. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes 

are more likely to spread Zika, dengue and 

chikungunya viruses than are other mosquito 

species, including Aedes albopictus. CDC provides 

information about mosquito control, including the 

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, like the one pictured, can become infected 

when they bite infected persons and can then spread the Zika virus to 

other persons they subsequently bite.

Credit: CDC / James Gathany
2

potential range of Aedes aegypti and Aedes

albopictus in the U.S., on its website. In addition, 

meteorological conditions, the number of people 

travelling from areas with ongoing transmission, 

and socioeconomic factors play a role in Zika 

transmission in the contiguous U.S. (the lower 

48 states).2 For example, Aedes aegypti can thrive 

in many areas during summer months (JulySeptember) but are only active in winter months 

(December-March) in areas where temperatures do 

not fall below 10° C (50° F). The mosquitoes that 

spread Zika usually do not live at elevations above 

2,000 meters (6,562 feet).3

Zika Virus Infection in Humans

Many people infected with Zika virus will not 

have symptoms or will only have mild symptoms. 

Exactly how often people have Zika virus infections 

without symptoms is not known. When people do 

experience symptoms, they usually begin about 

3-14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito, 

are usually mild, and typically last 2-7 days. The 

most common symptoms of Zika virus infection 

are fever, rash, joint pain and red or pink eyes. 

Other symptoms include myalgia (muscle pain) and 

headache. These symptoms are similar to those 

of dengue fever or chikungunya. Neurological and 

autoimmune complications are infrequent but 

have been described in outbreaks in Polynesia and, 

more recently, in the Americas. 

In most people, during the first 1-2 weeks of 

infection, Zika virus can be detected in the blood 

and is capable of being spread from an infected 

person to a mosquito that feeds on that person. 

Direct contact with infectious blood or other body 

fluids (such as semen through sexual contact or 

exposure by a needlestick or other sharps injury) 

of an infected person can result in transmission of 

the virus.

Zika virus can be spread from a pregnant woman 

to her fetus and is a cause of serious birth defects 

of the brain in fetuses and infants, which includes 

microcephaly and other problems. Other problems 

have been detected among fetuses and infants 

infected with Zika virus before birth, such as absent 

or poorly developed brain structures, defects of the 

eye, hearing deficits and impaired growth.

2. Monaghan, A. J., Morin, C. W., Steinhoff, D. F., Wilhelmi, 

O., Hayden, M., Quattrochi, D. A. & Scalf, P. E. (2016). On the 

seasonal occurrence and abundance of the Zika virus vector 

mosquito Aedes aegypti in the contiguous United States. PLoS 

Currents Outbreaks, 8(1).

3. Cetron, M. (2016). Revision to CDC’s Zika travel notices: 

Minimal likelihood for mosquito-borne Zika virus transmission 

at elevations above 2,000 meters. MMWR. Morbidity and 

Mortality Weekly Report, 65(10), 267-268.

Control & Prevention

CDC recommendations for preventing Zika virus 

infection, include special precautions, such as 

avoiding or delaying travel to Zika-affected areas 

for women who are or may become pregnant 

and for people with sexual partners who are or 

may become pregnant. In areas affected by Zika 

virus transmission, protect yourself and others 

from possible exposure to Zika virus by always 

taking steps to prevent mosquito bites. There is 

no approved vaccine to prevent Zika virus and 

there is no specific treatment for individuals who 

become infected.

Although Zika virus is primarily spread through 

the bites of infected mosquitos, exposure to an 

infected person’s blood or other body fluids (such 

as semen through sexual contact or exposure by a 

needlestick or other sharps injury) may also result 

in transmission. Employers should train workers 

about their risks of exposure to Zika virus through 

mosquito bites and contact with infectious blood 

and other potentially infectious materials and 

how to protect themselves. Employers should 

also provide information about the risk of Zika 

virus exposure and infection to workers who are 

pregnant or may become pregnant or whose 

sexual partners are or may become pregnant. 

For workers with potential exposure, this should 

include information on modes of transmission and 

the adverse birth outcomes caused by infection 

during pregnancy.

Depending on workers’ exposure, job tasks and 

the controls necessary to protect them, employers 

must comply with the provisions of applicable 

OSHA requirements, including:

• the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 

standards (29 CFR 1910 Subpart I and, for 

construction, 29 CFR 1926 Subpart E), such as 

when workers need wearable mosquito netting 

or other PPE; 

• the Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) standard (29 

CFR 1910.1030), when workers have exposure to 

blood or other potentially infectious materials; 

and

• paragraph (b)(4) of the Safety Training and 

Education standard (29 CFR 1926.21) when 

construction workers are in job site areas where 

harmful animals are present (e.g., mosquitoes 

that could spread the Zika virus). 

Additional information for specific types of workers 

is below. Consult the CDC Zika website for the 

most up-to-date information to help employers 

implement effective worker protections.
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Outdoor workers

Recommended employer actions:

• Inform workers about their risks of exposure to 

Zika virus through mosquito bites and train them 

on how to protect themselves. Check the CDC 

Zika website to find Zika-affected areas.

• Provide insect repellents, encourage their use, 

and train workers to use them according to the 

guidance below.

• Ensure that workers wear clothing that covers 

their hands, arms, legs and other exposed skin. 

Employers may need to provide workers with 

hats with mosquito netting to protect the face 

and neck.

• In warm weather, encourage workers to wear 

lightweight, loose-fitting clothing. This type 

of clothing protects workers against the sun’s 

harmful rays and can help prevent (although 

it may not fully prevent) mosquitoes from 

biting bare skin. Always provide workers with 

adequate water, rest and shade, and monitor 

workers for signs and symptoms of heat illness.

• Periodically inspect worksites to identify and 

get rid of sources of standing water (e.g., tires, 

buckets, cans, bottles, barrels, clogged gutters) 

whenever possible to reduce or eliminate places 

where mosquitoes lay their eggs. Train workers 

about the importance of eliminating these areas 

at the worksite.

• If requested by a worker who is pregnant or 

whose sexual partner is pregnant or may 

become pregnant, consider reassigning the 

worker to indoor tasks to reduce their risk of 

mosquito bites.

Recommended worker actions:

• Use insect repellents according to the guidance 

below. 

• Wear clothing that covers hands, arms, legs and 

other exposed skin. Wear hats with mosquito 

netting to protect the face and neck. Wear socks 

that cover the ankles and lower legs.

• In warm weather, wear lightweight, loose-fitting 

clothing. This type of clothing protects against 

the sun’s harmful rays and can help provide a 

barrier to mosquitoes. Consider spraying light 

weight, loose-fitting clothing with permethrin 

for additional protection. Drink plenty of water, 

take rest breaks in shaded areas and watch for 

signs and symptoms of heat illness, including 

in coworkers.

• Get rid of sources of standing water (e.g., tires, 

buckets, cans, bottles, barrels, clogged gutters) 

whenever possible to reduce or eliminate places 

where mosquitoes lay their eggs. 

• Talk to your supervisor(s) about any outdoor work 

assignment(s) if you are or may become pregnant 

or if your sexual partner is or may become 

pregnant. Such workers should be familiar with 

CDC information on Zika virus and pregnancy.

• If symptoms develop, seek medical attention 

promptly. Discuss any possible exposure to 

mosquitoes or infections spread by mosquitoes 

with a healthcare provider.

Guidance on use of insect repellents for employers 

and workers:

• Always follow label precautions when using 

insect repellent.

• Use insect repellent containing an EPAregistered active ingredient. All of the EPAregistered active ingredients have demonstrated 

repellency, but some provide longer-lasting 

protection than others. Research suggests 

that repellents containing DEET (N,N-diethylm-toluamide) or picaridin (KBR 3023) typically 

provide longer-lasting protection than the 

other products, and oil of lemon eucalyptus 

(p-menthane-3,8-diol) provides longer-lasting 

protection than other plant-based repellents. 

Permethrin is another long-lasting repellent that 

is intended for application to clothing and gear, 

but not directly to skin.

• Choose a repellent that will protect against 

mosquito bites for the amount of time that you 

will be outdoors. In general, the more active 

ingredient (higher concentration) a repellent 

contains, the longer it will protect against 

mosquito bites. For example, the more DEET a 

repellent contains, the longer it can protect you 

from mosquito bites. If using DEET-containing 

products, choose one with at least 20 percent 

DEET as its active ingredient and re-apply every 

four hours. Note: Products with more than 50 

percent DEET may not offer a marked increase 

in protection.

• To avoid reaction to DEET or other ingredients in 

insect repellents, read and follow the directions 

on all insect repellents before use. 

• Spray insect repellent (permethrin) on the 

outside of clothing to help prevent mosquitoes 

from biting through clothing. Mosquitoes may 

be able to bite through thin clothing or clothing 

made of certain types of loosely woven fabrics. 

• Avoid spraying DEET on garments made of 

synthetic fabrics, as it may damage or dissolve 

the fabric.4

4. Fradin, M. S., & Day, J. F. (2002). Comparative efficacy of 

insect repellents against mosquito bites. New England Journal 

of Medicine, 347(1), 13-18.
4

• Do NOT spray insect repellent on skin that is 

under clothing. 

• Do NOT apply insect repellent to skin that is 

already irritated, or to cuts/lacerations. 

• Do NOT spray aerosol or pump products in 

enclosed areas. Do NOT spray a pump or aerosol 

product directly on the face. First spray it on hands 

and then carefully spread it on the face (do not 

allow insect repellent to contact eyes or mouth). 

• After returning indoors and before eating, use 

soap and water to wash skin, such as the hands, 

arms, and face, that has been treated with insect 

repellent. Reapply repellent when returning 

outdoors or after eating.

• Outdoor workers may need to use sunscreen 

in conjunction with insect repellent. Repellents 

that are applied according to label instructions 

may be used with sunscreen with no reduction 

in repellent activity. However, limited data show 

a one-third decrease in the sun protection factor 

(SPF) of sunscreens when DEET-containing 

insect repellents are used after a sunscreen 

is applied. Products that combine sunscreen 

and repellent are not recommended, because 

sunscreen may need to be reapplied more 

often and in larger amounts than needed for the 

repellent component to provide protection from 

biting insects. The best option is to use separate 

products, applying sunscreen first and then 

applying the repellent. Due to the decrease in SPF 

when using a DEET-containing insect repellent 

after applying sunscreen, users may need to 

reapply the sunscreen more frequently.5

• Stop using insect repellent and/or sunscreen 

if a rash or other adverse symptoms develop. 

Wash skin with soap and water. Consult a 

healthcare provider or poison control center 

for further guidance. Be sure to inform the 

healthcare provider or poison control center 

about the insect repellent used (e.g., type, 

when and where applied). Take other actions 

described in this guidance to avoid mosquito 

bites if insect repellent cannot be used.

Healthcare and laboratory workers

Employers and workers in healthcare (including 

those who handle human remains) and biomedical 

laboratories (including clinical and research 

facilities) should follow required and recommended 

infection prevention and biosafety practices to 

prevent or minimize the risk of transmission of 

infectious agents (e.g., Zika virus). 

5. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for 

Disease Control and Prevention, “CDC Health Information for 

International Travel, 2016 (Yellow Book).”

Employers must comply with applicable 

requirements in the BBP standard (29 CFR 

1910.1030) whenever workers may be exposed 

to human blood or other potentially infectious 

materials. Employers must also comply with 

OSHA’s PPE (29 CFR 1910.132) and Respiratory 

Protection (29 CFR 1910.134) standards, among 

other OSHA requirements.

In healthcare and when workers are handling human 

remains (regardless of suspected or confirmed Zika 

infection status), standard precautions are used to 

expand the universal precautions required by the 

BBP standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) whenever workers 

may be exposed to human blood or other potentially 

infectious materials. CDC-recommended standard 

precautions include hand hygiene, injection safety 

and the use of PPE to avoid direct contact with 

blood and other potentially infectious materials, 

including laboratory specimens/samples. 6 PPE may 

include gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection. 

Hand hygiene consists of washing with soap and 

water or using alcohol-based hand rubs containing 

at least 60 percent alcohol.7 Soap and water are 

best for hands that are visibly soiled. Perform hand 

hygiene before and after any contact with a patient, 

after any contact with potentially infectious material 

and before putting on and promptly after removing 

PPE, including gloves. For workers with exposure 

to human blood and other potentially infectious 

materials, the BBP standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) 

requires hand washing after removal of PPE.

Laboratories should ensure that their facilities 

and practices meet the appropriate Biosafety 

Level (BSL) for the type of work being conducted 

(including the specific biological agents – in 

this case, Zika virus) in the laboratory. CDC has 

guidance for transporting specimens and working 

with Zika virus in the laboratory. The Biosafety 

in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories 

(BMBL), 5th Edition also provides detailed 

biosafety guidance for working with arboviruses, 

including Zika, in Section VIII – F: Arboviruses and 

Related Zoonotic Viruses. Laboratories should 

handle Zika virus at BSL-2, including limiting access 

to laboratories and other work areas when work 

is occurring and conducting certain procedures 

in biosafety cabinets or other containment 

6. Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee, 

“2007 Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing 

Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings,” 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. 

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

7. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers 

for Disease Control and Prevention, “Show Me the Science – 

When & How to Use Hand Sanitizer.”
5

equipment. Some procedures may require BSL-3 

precautions, including additional respiratory 

protection, based on the risk assessment of 

the proposed work.8 The BMBL guidance also 

describes BSLs in Section IV - Laboratory Biosafety 

Level Criteria.

Additionally, employers should ensure that workers:

• Follow workplace standard operating 

procedures (e.g., workplace exposure control 

plans) and use the engineering controls and 

work practices available in the workplace to 

prevent exposure to blood or other potentially 

infectious materials. See 29 CFR 1910.1030.

• Do NOT bend, recap, or remove contaminated 

needles or other contaminated sharps. Properly 

dispose of these items in closable, punctureresistant, leakproof, and labeled or color-coded 

containers. See 29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(vii)

and (viii).

• Use sharps with engineered sharps injury 

protection (SESIP) to avoid sharps-related 

injuries. See 29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2).

• Report all needlesticks, lacerations, and 

other exposure incidents to supervisors as soon 

as possible.

There is limited evidence that Zika virus may 

be transmitted through aerosol exposure in 

laboratories.9 Minimizing the aerosolization of 

blood or body fluids as much as possible during 

laboratory tasks will help prevent laboratory 

workers from being exposed to Zika virus and 

other pathogens. Although there is no evidence 

that the Zika virus spreads by aerosols in clinical 

settings, minimizing the aerosolization of blood or 

body fluids as much as possible during patient care 

tasks will help prevent healthcare workers from 

being exposed to Zika virus and other pathogens.

Employers should consider additional protections, 

including engineering controls to ensure containment 

of pathogens or enhanced PPE to prevent or reduce 

exposure where workers are at increased risk of 

exposure to Zika virus or other hazards (e.g. working 

with concentrated specimens of Zika virus).

Mosquito control workers

When working outdoors, follow the same 

precautions recommended above for 

general outdoor workers for protection 

against mosquito bites.

8. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Biosafety in 

Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL), 5th ed.”

9. Scherer, W. F. (1980). Laboratory safety for arboviruses 

and certain other viruses of vertebrates. American Journal of 

Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 29(6), 1359-1381.

Workers entering or working around areas with 

dense mosquito populations of Aedes mosquitoes 

likely will need enhanced skin protection to prevent 

mosquito bites. Employers should assess such 

workers’ risks of mosquito bites, provide any 

additional protective clothing or equipment to 

protect workers’ exposed skin and ensure workers 

wear or use it correctly.

Workers who mix, load, apply or perform other 

tasks involving wide-area (or area) insecticides may 

need additional protection to prevent or reduce 

exposure to hazardous chemicals. These protections 

include pesticide safety training, notification of 

pesticide applications, PPE (potentially including 

respirators), restricted entry intervals after pesticide 

application, decontamination supplies and access 

to emergency medical assistance. The EPA 

Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS), 

which regulates pesticide safety, and the EPA WPS 

page provide more information about these types 

of protections. Although the WPS is a regulation for 

agricultural pesticides aimed at reducing the risk of 

pesticide poisonings and injuries among agricultural 

workers and pesticide handlers, its requirements 

may provide a model for protecting workers using 

insecticides in mosquito control operations. 

Employers also must comply with any applicable 

requirements in OSHA’s PPE standards (29 CFR 

1910 Subpart I), including when workers need 

gloves or eye protection, among other OSHA 

requirements. Respirators must be used in 

accordance with the respirator selection, medical 

clearance, fit-testing and other requirements 

of OSHA’s Respiratory Protection standard (29 

CFR 1910.134). Employers should monitor the 

use of respirators by any worker who must 

drive vehicles (e.g., trucks used for insecticide 

application) to ensure that respirator use does 

not restrict the worker’s ability to operate the 

vehicle safely. OSHA’s Safety and Health Topics 

page on Respiratory Protection provides general 

information on respirator use and OSHA standards 

that may apply to the use of chemicals.

Suspected or Confirmed Zika: General 

Guidance for Workers and Employers

CDC advises individuals, including workers, 

infected with Zika virus to10:

• Get plenty of rest.

• Drink fluids to prevent dehydration.

10. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers 

for Disease Control and Prevention, “Zika Virus – Symptoms, 

diagnosis, & Treatment.”
6

• Take medicine such as acetaminophen to reduce 

fever and pain.

• Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or 

other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs 

unless your healthcare provider tells you it is 

okay to do so. These medications can increase 

the risk of bleeding if your symptoms are caused 

by infection with dengue virus. 

• Talk to a healthcare provider before taking any 

other medications, including prescriptions, for 

other medical conditions.

• To help prevent others from getting sick, avoid 

mosquito bites during the first week of infection. 

Wearing clothing that covers skin and using 

insect repellents can help prevent mosquito bites. 

• To help prevent transmission to partners via 

sexual contact, abstain from vaginal, anal and 

oral sexual activity, or use condoms correctly 

every time you have sex. See the CDC Zika 

and Sexual Transmission website and the CDC 

Testing for Zika website for more information. 

Employers should:

• Ensure that supervisors and all potentially 

exposed workers are aware of the symptoms 

of Zika. 

• Train workers to seek medical evaluation if they 

develop symptoms of Zika.

• Assure that workers receive prompt and 

appropriate medical evaluation and follow-up 

after a suspected exposure to Zika virus. If the 

exposure is to human blood or other potentially 

infectious materials and falls under OSHA’s BBP 

standard (29 CFR 1910.1030), employers must 

comply with medical evaluation and followup requirements in the standard. See 29 CFR 

1910.1030(f).

• Consider options for granting sick leave during 

the infectious period. CDC describes steps 

employers and employees can take to protect 

others during the first week of Zika virus illness. 

Section 11(c) of the Occupational Safety and 

Health Act, 29 USC 660(c), prohibits employers 

from retaliating against workers for such things 

as raising concerns about safety and health 

conditions. OSHA encourages workers who 

suffer such discrimination to submit a complaint 

to OSHA. Workers have 30 days from an alleged 

reprisal to file their complaints.

Travel to Zika-affected areas

CDC recommends that pregnant women in any 

trimester not travel to an area with active Zika virus 

transmission. Employers should consider allowing 

flexibility in required travel, including delaying 

travel to Zika-affected areas, for workers who are 

concerned about Zika virus exposure and especially 

for workers who are or may become pregnant 

or whose sexual partners are or may become 

pregnant. Flexible travel and leave policies may help 

control the spread of Zika virus, including to workers 

who are concerned about reproductive effects 

potentially associated with Zika virus infection.

When traveling to or through Zika-affected areas, 

follow the precautions described in the “Control 

and Prevention” section for specific work activities. 

CDC guidance for travel to Zika-affected areas may 

also help employers and workers in travel-related 

operations, such as airline crew members and cruise 

line workers, to take appropriate protective actions.

CDC has published Zika Travel Information by 

region, which may assist workers and employers 

in making travel-related decisions or implementing 

precautions when traveling. Pregnant women, 

women who may become pregnant and people with 

sexual partners who are or may become pregnant 

should consult with their healthcare providers about 

risks associated with Zika virus infection during 

pregnancy. More information can also be found on 

the CDC Zika and Pregnancy website.

Travelers who have traveled to an area with Zika 

can use condoms or not have sex to protect their 

sexual partners. Women should consider using 

condoms every time they have sex or should not 

have sex for at least eight weeks after symptom 

onset (if symptomatic) or last possible exposure 

(if asymptomatic). Men should use condoms every 

time they have sex or should not have sex for at 

least six months after symptom onset (if they 

have symptoms) or last possible exposure (if no 

symptoms) to protect their sex partners; this period 

is longer for men because Zika stays in semen longer 

than in other body fluids. Women and men who 

have a pregnant sex partner should consistently 

and correctly use condoms to prevent Zika virus 

infection every time they have sex or should not 

have sex for the duration of the pregnancy. Even if 

they do not feel sick, travelers returning to the U.S. 

from an area with Zika should take steps to prevent 

being bitten by mosquitoes for three weeks so they 

do not pass Zika to mosquitoes that could spread 

the virus to other people. CDC provides information 

on mosquito bite prevention for travelers.

Additional Resources

• Zika Virus. Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health 

and Human Services (HHS).

• Zika Travel Information. Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services (HHS).
7

• Zika Virus Protection for Outdoor Workers. 

Occupational Health and Safety Administration 

(OSHA), U.S. Department of Labor.

• Zika: Protecting US Businesses and Business 

Travelers. National Institute for Occupational 

Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department 

of Health and Human Services (HHS).

• Zika: Protecting Healthcare and Laboratory 

Workers. National Institute for Occupational 

Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services (HHS).

• Zika: Protecting Outdoor Workers. National 

Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 

(NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health 

and Human Services (HHS).

• Laboratory Safety when Working with Zika 

Virus. Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health 

and Human Services (HHS).

• Mosquito-Borne Diseases. National Institute 

for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

(CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human 

Services.

• Zika Virus Fact Sheet. World Health Organization 

(WHO).

• Zika virus infection and Zika fever: Frequently

Asked Questions. Pan American Health 

Organization (PAHO).

• Mosquito Bite Prevention for Travelers (PDF). 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

(CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human 

Services (HHS).

• Zika information repository. Center for Infectious 

Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), 

University of Minnesota.

• Rodents, Snakes and Insects QuickCard. 

Occupational Safety and Health Administration 

(OSHA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).

• 2007 Guideline for Isolation Precautions:

Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in 

Healthcare Settings (PDF). Healthcare Infection 

Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC), 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

(CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human 

Services (HHS).

• Safety and Health Information Bulletin:

Workplace Precautions Against West Nile Virus. 

Occupational Safety and Health Administration 

(OSHA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). 

Provides related guidance for workers and 

employers that is also generally applicable to 

Zika virus and other mosquito-borne diseases.

• West Nile Virus Fact Sheet (PDF*). Occupational 

Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. 

Department of Labor (DOL). Provides related 

guidance for workers and employers that is 

also generally applicable to Zika virus and other 

mosquito- borne diseases.

• West Nile Virus QuickCard. Occupational 

Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. 

Department of Labor (DOL). Provides related 

guidance for outdoor workers that is also 

generally applicable to Zika virus and other 

mosquito-borne diseases.

• Surveillance and Control of Aedes aegypti and

Aedes albopictus in the United States. Centers 

for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

(HHS).

• Bloodborne Pathogens and Needlestick

Prevention Safety and Health Topics. 

Occupational Safety and Health Administration 

(OSHA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).

• West Nile Virus Prevention. National Institute 

for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

(CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human 

Services (HHS). Provides related guidance for 

workers and employers that is also generally 

applicable to Zika virus and other mosquitoborne diseases.

• Fast Facts: Protecting Yourself from Ticks

and Mosquitoes (PDF). National Institute for 

Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

(CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human 

Services (HHS).

• Heat Stress Topic Page. National Institute 

for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

(CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human 

Services (HHS).

• Fast Facts: Protecting Yourself from Heat Stress 

(PDF). National Institute for Occupational Safety 

and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health 

and Human Services (HHS).

• Respirator Topic Page. National Institute for 

Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

(CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human 

Services (HHS).

• Preventing Transmission of Zika Virus in Labor

and Delivery Settings Through Implementation

of Standard Precautions – United States, 2016. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

(CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human 

Services (HHS).
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• Fast Facts: How to Prevent Needlestick 

and Sharps Injuries. National Institute for 

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of Zika Virus – New York City, 2016. Centers 

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*Accessibility Assistance: Contact OSHA’s Directorate of

Technical Support and Emergency Management at (202) 693- 

2300 for assistance accessing PDF materials.

OSHA - DTSEM FS-3855 6/1/2017

Disclaimer: This document is not a standard or regulation, and it creates no new legal obligations. It contains recommendations 

as well as descriptions of mandatory safety and health standards. The recommendations are advisory in nature, informational 

in content, and are intended to assist employers in providing a safe and healthful workplace. The Occupational Safety and 

Health Act requires employers to comply with safety and health standards and regulations promulgated by OSHA or by a state 

with an OSHA-approved state plan. In addition, the Act’s General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1), requires employers to provide 

their employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm.

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teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877) 889-5627. For other requests or questions, contact OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742). To 

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