The CDC designated the city of Brownsville, Texas as a cautionary area for potential Zika transmission. The designation comes after Texas health officials reported five Zika cases in Brownsville likely transmitted by local mosquitoes.
The CDC issued a travel warning for the area, recommending pregnant women should postpone any plans to travel to Brownsville. The agency also encourages couples who are expecting a baby who live in or travel to Brownsville to practice safe sex or abstain from sexual activity during pregnancy. Pregnant residents of Brownsville and their partners should take measures to prevent mosquito bites.
"We are working closely with Texas to gather and analyze new information every day," said Tom Frieden, MD, the director of the CDC. "Together with Texas officials we are working to protect pregnant women from the potentially devastating effects of this virus."
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