The CDC is now advising women who are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant to avoid traveling to a specific Miami neighborhood after 10 newly reported domestic Zika cases were tied to that area.
Originally, there were four Zika cases that officials believed to be acquired by local mosquitoes in Florida. Now the total is at 14; 12 of them are men and two are women.
The Florida Department of Health believes Zika transmission is occurring in a one-square-mile area just north of downtown Miami, known as the Wynwood neighborhood. Officials from the DOH and the CDC believe mosquito transmission in that area started on or after June 15.
"We work closely with Florida to gather and analyze new information every day," said Tom Frieden, MD, director of the CDC. "With the new information that there are active mosquitoes still in the area and additional Zika infections, we conclude that pregnant women should avoid this area — and make every effort to prevent mosquito bites if they live or work there."
In addition to the travel warning, the CDC recommends pregnant women who traveled to that area on or after June 15 and who live and work in that area should be tested for Zika in their first and second trimesters, even if they are not displaying symptoms. Also, women and men who traveled to the area should wait at least eight weeks before trying to become pregnant, and men with Zika symptoms should wait six months before trying for pregnancy.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott urged pregnant women who live or work in that Miami neighborhood to see their OB-GYN for guidance or to receive a Zika prevention kit.
The CDC is sending an emergency response team to Miami, including experts on Zika virus, pregnancy and birth defects, mosquito control, laboratory science and risk communications.