CDC Updates Zika Guidance for South Miami Beach Area

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated guidance for people who travel to or live in the previously identified area of South Miami Beach, Fla. This area is no longer considered to be an area of active Zika virus transmission (red area). It is now designated as a Zika cautionary area (yellow area). There have been no new cases of local Zika virus transmission identified in South Miami Beach for more than 45 days, suggesting that the risk of Zika virus infection is no longer greater than in the rest of Miami-Dade County. All of Miami-Dade County continues to have the yellow area designation and pregnant women are eligible for Zika virus testing. 

All pregnant women in the United States should be evaluated for possible Zika virus exposure during each prenatal care visit. Each evaluation should include an assessment of signs and symptoms of Zika virus disease (fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes), their travel history, and their sexual partner's potential exposure to Zika virus and history of any illness consistent with Zika virus disease.  All pregnant women with possible exposure should be offered Zika virus testing. 

“Florida’s rapid response and comprehensive mosquito control program has allowed them to interrupt Zika transmission, but we must stay vigilant and also take what we have learned and be prepared for next season,” said CDC director Tom Frieden, MD, MPH. “Pregnant women who live or have been to this area should continue to be evaluated for Zika exposure during their prenatal visits to prevent the devastating effects Zika can cause in their infants.”

As of Dec. 8, a total of 4,575 cases of Zika have been reported in the continental United States and Hawaii through CDC’s ArboNET. These cases include 185 locally transmitted mosquito-borne cases in Florida, 38 cases believed to be the result of sexual transmission, and one case that was the result of a laboratory exposure.

Source: CDC