Zika travel advisory issued for area in Florida

The Centers for Disease Control and the state of Florida have issued a travel advisory for a Miami neighborhood where several cases of Zika spread by mosquitoes have been confirmed.

The advisory applies to people who have lived in or traveled to the Wynwood neighborhood of Miami any time after June 15. This is the first time the CDC has advised against travel to any part of the continental U.S.

Key points:

• Pregnant women are advised not to travel to the area, and pregnant women and their partners who have traveled there should take steps to prevent mosquito bites and sexual transmission of the disease.
• Pregnant women who traveled to the area on or after June 15 should be tested for Zika, as should all pregnant women in the U.S. who have traveled to an area with active Zika transmission or had sex with a partner who has traveled to such an area without taking steps to prevent sexual transmission.
• Women and men who traveled to the area should wait at least eight weeks before trying to get pregnant, and men with symptoms of Zika should wait at least six months before trying for a pregnancy.

Background: The advisory was issued Monday following 10 new infections and a continued risk that mosquitoes are spreading the Zika virus in the area. Zika can be spread among humans through sexual contact, and pregnant women can transmit the virus to their babies. In April, the CDC confirmed a causal link between Zika and microcephaly in newborns, a condition that inhibits brain development.

BAL Analysis: Individuals intending to travel to the affected Florida area should read the full CDC advisory that covers travel, testing and other recommendations.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice group. For additional information, please contact BerryApplemanLeiden@bal.com.

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