Zika Virus Surveillance and Preparedness - New York City, 2015-2016

Zika virus has rapidly spread through the World Health Organization's Region of the Americas since being identified in Brazil in early 2015. Transmitted primarily through the bite of infected Aedes species mosquitoes, Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause spontaneous abortion and birth defects, including microcephaly. New York City is home to a large number of persons who travel frequently to areas with active Zika virus transmission, including immigrants from these areas. In November 2015, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene began developing and implementing plans for managing Zika virus and on February 1, 2016, activated its Incident Command System. In the US, Zika virus disease cases have occurred after travel to affected areas and through sexual transmission. Areas with imported cases of Zika virus disease and local circulation of Aedes sp. mosquitoes are at increased risk for local mosquito-borne transmission of Zika virus. Although Aedes aegypti mosquitoes have never been documented in NYC.