Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement

At first, the Zika virus seemed to be something to prepare for only when traveling outside of the U.S. But, with confirmed cases in Florida, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Florida Department of Health have information and resources that will guide you through the prevention, detection, and treatment of the disease.

Originally, the Zika virus was detected only in visitors to the U.S. but the CDC lists the “locally acquired mosquito-borne cases” at six spots — all in a small section of Miami-Dade County.

“The Florida Department of Health has identified an area in one neighborhood of Miami where Zika is being spread by mosquitoes,” the CDC Zika resources say. “This guidance is for people who live in or traveled to this area any time after June 15 (based on the earliest time symptoms can start and the maximum 2-week incubation period for Zika virus).”

The Zika virus is most dangerous to pregnant women and to those engaging in sexual intercourse with infected individuals. General bug prevention is the key to escaping infection, says the CDC.

Reminder: If you have patients traveling to or near infected areas in the U.S. a vaccine is being worked on but does not exist yet to combat the virus. Travelers should pack and wear appropriate clothing and bedding, apply anti-mosquito sprays, and use extreme caution in their activities with regards to the times and areas mosquitos will be most active.

Resources: For the complete CDC Zika virus guide, visit http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html.

To reference the Florida Department of Health’s Zika resources, visit http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/zika-virus/.