CDC sends Zika prevention kits to territories, holds summit to prepare states

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Strategic National Stockpile last month began delivering an initial 5,000 Zika prevention kits to Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa, and plans to distribute a second round of kits in the coming weeks, according to Stephen Redd, M.D., director of the CDC’s Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response. The kits contain items that pregnant women can use to protect themselves from the mosquito-borne virus, such as insect repellent, mosquito netting and tablets to kill larvae in standing water, thermometers to monitor their temperature and CDC educational materials. Growing evidence suggests a possible association between maternal Zika virus infection and adverse fetal outcomes, such as microcephaly. States have reported 312 travel-associated cases of Zika and territories 349 locally-acquired cases, primarily in Puerto Rico. The totals include 27 pregnant women in the states and 37 in the territories. CDC today held a summit to provide state and local officials with information and tools to improve Zika preparedness and response within their jurisdictions, and issued a Vital Signs report on Zika prevention and pregnancy. For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/zika and www.aha.org/zika.