CDC updates plan for local Zika transmission, guidance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today released an updated interim plan for responding to locally acquired cases of Zika virus infection in the continental U.S. and Hawaii. Among other changes, the updates include revised guidance to ensure blood safety and availability, reflecting recommendations issued by the Food and Drug Administration on Aug. 26, and revised guidance on determining geographic areas for interventions and travel guidance. Also today, CDC issued updated guidance for pre-pregnancy counseling and preventing sexual transmission of Zika. Based on ongoing assessment of available data, CDC now recommends that men with possible Zika exposure but no symptoms wait at least six months before attempting pregnancy with their partner. As of Sept. 28, 59 locally-acquired and 3,566 travel-associated cases of the mosquito-borne virus were reported in the continental U.S. All of the locally-acquired cases were in Florida. For more information on Zika, visit http://www.cdc.gov/zika and http://www.aha.org/zika.