US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have updated guidance for persons traveling to the Wynwood neighborhood of Miami, FL where the Zika virus is being spread by mosquitos.
This guidance includes specific recommendations for
- Pregnant women and their partners
- Couples thinking about getting pregnant
This Zika alert marks the first time that CDC has recommended against travel to any US destination on account of an infectious disease.
In an interview with the Washington Post this week, CDC Director Tom Frieden said the travel advisory could remain in place for as long as a year; and that the risk of Zika exists in a widespread area of the US South and Southwest as well.
The Greater Miami and the Beaches tourist board has posted on their Web site a page of Travel Advisory Information which says in part:
"The CDC’s advisory is specific to pregnant women and only for a tightly contained neighborhood...The GMCVB encourages visitors to exercise mosquito safety measures which includes utilizing mosquito repellant as well as covering exposed areas of the skin while mosquitos are active."
VisitFlorida.com - the official state DMO - appears to be silent on the subject.
