Avian Flu Diary: CDC Updates and Strengthens Zika Advice For South Florida

"Pregnant women who lived in, traveled to, or had sex without a condom with someone who lived in or traveled to Miami-Dade County after August 1, 2016, should be tested for Zika virus. " - CDC

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Although the CDC released updated guidance for South Florida only a week ago, the continued (albeit, limited) spread of the Zika virus - along with news that some donated blood in Miami has tested positive (see CIDRAP's coverage Zika virus found in Florida blood bank, mosquitoes) - has led to the issuance of stronger recommendations for people living in, or visiting the area.

The CDC issued a Press Release, and Revised Guidance on their media website yesterday.

This new guidance introduces a color-coded map for Miami-Dade with Red (Active Transmission) and Yellow (Cautionary) Zones making up the entire country.

They advise that pregnant women should not travel to Red Zones and they should now consider postponing travel to all parts of Miami-Dade County.

From the Press Release:

Because local spread of Zika virus continues to be reported in Miami-Dade County, CDC is strengthening its travel recommendations for pregnant women and also reinforcing recommendations for the use of protective measures to prevent exposure to Zika. CDC is also updating recommendations to emphasize testing for pregnant women who have lived in, traveled to, or had unprotected sex with someone who lived in or traveled to any area of Miami-Dade County. In addition, CDC has made specific recommendations for areas of identified active spread of Zika virus.

“Zika continues to pose a threat to pregnant women living in or traveling to Miami-Dade County,” said Lyle Petersen, MD, MPH, Director, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases. “Our guidance today strengthens our travel advice and testing recommendations for pregnant women, to further prevent the spread of the infection among those most vulnerable.”

CDC designates areas with Zika transmission as red or yellow

CDC defines two types of geographic areas within the continental United States and Hawaii to implement measures to prevent Zika virus transmission: Zika active transmission areas (designated as red) and Zika cautionary areas (designated as yellow).

Zika active transmission area (red area): A geographic area where local, state, and CDC officials have determined that the intensity of Zika virus transmission presents a significant risk to pregnant women. The intensity of Zika virus transmission is determined by several factors, including geographic distribution of cases, number of cases identified, known or suspected links between cases and population density.

Zika cautionary area (yellow area): A geographic area where local transmission has been identified, but evidence is lacking that the intensity of transmission is comparable to that in a red area. Although the specific level of risk in yellow areas is unknown, pregnant women are still considered to be at risk. Also, areas adjacent or close to red areas may have a greater likelihood of active spread of Zika virus and are considered to pose a risk to pregnant women.

Currently, a 4.5-square-mile area of Miami Beach and one-square-mile area in Little River located in Miami-Dade County (http//www.cdc.gov/zika/intheus/florida-update.html) are red areas. The rest of Miami-Dade County is s a yellow area. Because this is an ongoing investigation, the designation of areas is likely to change over time. For the most up-to-date designation of red and yellow areas, check the CDC website on Florida’s Zika situation: http//www.cdc.gov/zika/intheus/florida-update.html.