Response Planning

In addition to raising public awareness about Zika and implementing source reduction at the community level, tribal public health programs must develop the ability to implement an environmental health response should a case of Zika virus occur within their community to prevent the development of a local reservoir of Zika carrying Aedes mosquitos.

When a suspected/confirmed case of Zika is reported, the CDC recommends the following measures be implemented immediately to prevent the development of a local reservoir of zika carrying mosquitoes:

• a focused public education outreach effort
• vector surveillance
• vector control measures

The window of time for an effective environmental health response to a case of Zika virus is just a matter of days.  A delay with an environmental health response in a community near an existing Aedes mosquito infestation has a high risk of allowing the development of a local reservoir of Zika infected Aedes mosquitos.    

Since implementing a prompt and effective response requires planning and coordination, the California DEHS is available to assist Tribes with developing the policies, procedures, ordinances and partnerships necessary to implement a rapid environmental health response to a suspected/confirmed case of Zika virus in their community.

Tribal communities identified as at a greater risk for the development of a local reservoir of Zika infected mosquitos due to their proximity to an existing Aedes infestation will be proactively targeted by California Area DEHS staff for the development of a Zika virus response plan.