As the Zika virus continues to spread across the globe and gain worldwide attention for associated potential birth defects, an NAU researcher is calling for greater public awareness of cytomegalovirus—the most common viral cause of birth defects in the United States.

Amy Armstrong-Heimsoth, assistant clinical professor of occupational therapy at NAU’s Phoenix Biomedical Campus, began researching CMV after discovering healthcare workers abandoned patients who had the virus, a trend she hopes to reduce through a increased awareness. While CMV can be deadly for some, its risk can be mitigated by taking precautions and understanding transmission of the virus.

CMV causes an estimated 400 deaths each year and permanent disabilities in about 8,000 children, according to statistics by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.