On Monday, the City of New Orleans announced a broad plan to provide education to the public and direction for interagency coordination to facilitate the prevention and mitigation of the spread of Zika virus.
"We take the public health threat posed by the Zika virus very seriously...we proactively put this plan in place to ensure that we are prepared and coordinated in the event of Zika transmission in New Orleans. Residents are highly encouraged to do their part to protect themselves and their loved ones from mosquitoes," said Mayor Mitch Landrieu.
The plan was created in a collaborative effort by the New Orleans Health Department and the New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board. The report is divided into three sections. The first section entitled "No Reported Cases" focuses on actions that have been or will be implemented prior to a reported case of Zika in New Orleans. The second section — "Travel-Related Cases" — addresses actions that will be taken if a travel-related Zika case is reported. "Locally Acquired Cases" — the third section — details actions that may take place after a local transmission via mosquito or sexual contact is reported.
Many local municipalities are preparing for Zika as warmer weather approaches. The CDC has recently expanded the scope of the potential Zika threat in the continental U.S. On April 13, the agency confirmed the link between Zika and the birth defect microcephaly.
More articles on the Zika virus:
Dr. Anthony Fauci says US should expect Zika outbreaks this summer
Infographic: Where in the US have Zika cases been reported? [April 15 update]
Obama to sign Zika bill that is '2 months late and $1.9 billion short'