On June 2, 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released guidance for areas in the continental United States and Hawaii with a previous Zika Cautionary (Yellow) Designation. The guidance, which aims to encourage continued diligence in minimizing risk of Zika transmission, was developed for health departments and healthcare providers caring for people with exposure to areas where the yellow area designation has been lifted. This post-cautionary guidance addresses travel, preventive behaviors, testing and diagnosis, and preconception counseling.
It is important to note that the lifting of the yellow designation does not signify that Zika virus is any less of a threat. In fact, the level of risk of Zika virus transmission after a yellow area designation is lifted is unknown and thus sporadic cases may still occur. As such, CDC recommends that all women and men who live in or travel to an area that had a yellow area designation lifted should check frequently for updates about Zika virus transmission.
NACCHO strongly encourages our members located in post-cautionary jurisdictions to share this guidance throughout your local health department (LHD) and with healthcare providers in your communities. If you have questions or concerns about the lifting of the Zika cautionary designation or the post-cautionary guidance, please contact NACCHO’s Zika Response Team at [email protected].
