As of June 1, 2016, the Centers for Disease Control has tracked 618 cases of Zika virus in the United States, with pregnant women accounting for 195 of the cases. Almost all of the cases have occurred in individuals who traveled to a country where the virus is prevalent. Local governments are alerting their residents to steps they can take to reduce their risk of infection.  Miami-Dade County, Florida, for example, reminds residents to drain any standing rain or sprinkler water and to cover skin with socks, long-sleeve shirts, and pants. 

The following resources can help local governments find out more about the disease and what to do about it.

Big 7 Resources

• "Taking The Bite out of Zika” magazine article (NCSL)
• NCSL web page on the Zika virus
• NGA Zika resource page  
• NACCHO web page on Zika Virus: What Local Health Departments Need to Know (NACo has referred counties to the page)
• “Zika Virus Puts County Mosquito Control Programs in Spotlight” County News article (NACo)
• Blog post on House and Senate Zika Funding Bills (NACo)

CDC Resources

• Resources from CDC’s Zika Action Plan Summit, which some of us attended, including specific guidance for states and the template form that states used at the Zummit.
• CDC’s main website on the Zika virus. The section that is tailored to “law and policymakers” is located here. CDC requested our help in providing resources in this section geared towards state and local officials.
• The CDC Emergency Partners Newsletter is being distributed every week. Subscribe here.
• CDC-hosted weekly Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) teleconferences related to Zika issues. The next one is tomorrow (see below).