Johns Hopkins Opens First-Known Multidisciplinary Zika Virus Center in the World

To the Johns Hopkins Medicine community

Dear Colleagues,

As the number of people suffering from the devastating effects of Zika virus grows worldwide, many are forced to travel to multiple facilities to receive quality care. We are pleased to announce the opening of the new Johns Hopkins Wilmer Zika Center, which will provide expert care within one institution. We believe this to be the first multidisciplinary Zika center in the world. It will be located at The Johns Hopkins Hospital.

The center will rely on the skilled collaboration of physicians, faculty members and staff members from Johns Hopkins Medicine and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, including those in epidemiology, infectious diseases, maternal-fetal medicine, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, pediatrics, physiotherapy, psychiatry and social work, all of whom will coordinate care according to patients' needs. Medical experts from Brazil, a country greatly affected by Zika virus, will also serve as members of the center.

As you may know, Zika virus is known to cause microcephaly, a birth defect that affects the brain, but it is also reported to cause eye abnormalities in up to more than half of babies with the illness, according to a recent study in Brazil. Fortunately, the Wilmer Eye Institute is able to diagnose and, in many cases, treat eye concerns associated with Zika virus—including cataracts and other vision issues—with state-of-the-art, specialized technology.

Adult and pediatric patients worldwide can be referred to the center by outside physicians or through several Johns Hopkins departments and divisions, including emergency medicine and maternal-fetal medicine. Patients can also call the Wilmer Eye Institute to schedule an appointment. A case manager will work with patients to develop a care plan and identify specialists with whom the patient should follow up.

Many unknowns still exist about the virus, and it is gratifying to know that the Zika center team will be involved in the research to learn more about the virus and to discover new ways to help patients.

We are excited to be able to make an impact on such a serious and rapidly growing health concern. We thank everyone who played a role in developing this center and look forward to the superb leadership of Dr. William May, who will serve as one of the directors.

Please be sure to visit the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Zika Center website for more information.

Sincerely,

Paul B. Rothman, M.D.
Dean of the Medical Faculty
CEO, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Peter J. McDonnell, M.D.
Director, Wilmer Eye Institute
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
The Johns Hopkins Hospital