The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a draft interim plan for responding to the first locally acquired Zika virus cases in the continental United States.
As of June 15, no locally acquired mosquito-borne cases of Zika virus have been reported in the continental United States and Hawaii, but CDC expects local transmission could occur in those areas as the summer progresses.
The interim plan includes guidance during four phases of potential local Zika transmission:
- Phase 0/1: Mosquito Season Preparedness and Mosquito Season
- Phase 2: Limited Local Confirmed Transmission
- Phase 3: Widespread Local and Continuous Transmission
- Phase 4: Widespread Local Multicounty, Continuous Transmission
CDC offers action steps for states and the agency to take when a suspected or confirmed local vector-borne Zika transmission is identified and directions for requesting a CDC Emergency Response Team. The draft plan is subject to change as more information is acquired about the Zika virus.
America’s Essential Hospitals has established a resource page dedicated to this emerging public health threat. Visit this page regularly for new and updated information.