In a recently released report, CDC data show that in 2016, a total of 5,168 noncongenital Zika virus disease cases were reported from U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Most cases, 4,897 (95%) were in travelers returning from Zika virus-affected areas; 224 cases were acquired through presumed local mosquitoborne transmission; and 47 (1%) were acquired by other routes.
Similar to the U.S. experience with both dengue and chikungunya, also transmitted by Aedes aegypti, most Zika virus disease cases occurred among travelers recently returning from locations outside the continental United States. If Zika virus disease trends continue to follow these historical mosquitoborne disease patterns, cases among travelers will continue to occur, but at lower levels, and limited local transmission with sporadic cases or clusters is possible.
Three things to know
- Health care providers in the United States should continue to test symptomatic patients who live in or recently traveled to areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission or had unprotected sex with someone who lives in or traveled to those areas.
- Based on this data, CDC continues to recommend that persons traveling to areas with a risk for Zika virus transmission continue to take precautions, including using strategies to prevent mosquito bites and sexual transmission. More information is available at: https://go.usa.gov/xnSZd.
- Timely identification and investigation of cases, especially in areas with Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, will reduce the risk for local mosquitoborne transmission in the continental United States.
Take action
- Tweet this message or create one of your own: New report: 2016 Zika virus disease data reported by states to CDC. Learn more https://go.usa.gov/xnSZf.
- Share this report with stakeholders to highlight the importance of ongoing awareness of Zika virus transmission in the U.S.
