CDC Continues Zika Travel Alert for Puerto Rico

According to the Puerto Rico Department of Health (PRDH) the 2016 Zika epidemic is over.

The PRDH said in a press release, there were 10 cases of Zika reported in every four-week period since mid-April, down from more than 8,000 cases in four-week periods at the same time during 2016.

Not so fast, says US health officials.

"We are pleased that the peak of the Zika virus outbreak in Puerto Rico has come to a close," said Anne Schuchat, MD, acting director of the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC).

“However, we cannot let our guard down.”

“The CDC will continue to focus on protecting pregnant women and work closely with PRDH to support comprehensive Zika surveillance and prevention efforts on the Island,” said Dr. Schuchat.

Because Zika infection in a pregnant woman can cause severe birth defects, pregnant women should not travel to areas identified by a CDC Travel Alert, which includes Puerto Rico, which has diagnosed more than 40,000 confirmed cases of Zika infection, as of May 20, 2017.

All travelers should strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites and prevent sexual transmission during and after the trip. Zika has likely been present in these areas for years with ongoing transmission.

"At this time, there are no plans to change CDC's travel recommendations for Puerto Rico. The agency is reviewing recent surveillance data and will update recommendations based on review of data," CDC spokesman Tom Skinner said in an emailed statement.

“In coordination with the CDC, we have put in place a comprehensive program focused on preparation, prevention, precaution and surveillance,” said Dr. Rafael Rodriguez-Mercado, Puerto Rico’s Secretary of Health.

"These efforts can be used as a model for other regions experiencing local Zika virus transmission.”

Additionally, the New York City's Department of Health issued a travel alert during May 2017, for areas still impacted by the Zika virus, such as the Caribbean, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, where the Zika-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquito easily breeds in the tropical climate.

Moreover, NYC issued a Zika warning to its citizens about traveling to Florida or Texas.