Navy Medicine posted an updated Zika virus mitigation guidance for U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps personnel on Thursday through a Navadmin message.The Navy said Friday the updated Navadmin requires installation commanders to implement the defense secretary’s guidance to control virus-carrying mosquitoes at Navy installations and in housing areas while installation commanding officers should manage the coordination of public health emergency officers and installation vector control staff with state and local counterparts.
The service branch added its Bureau of Medicine and Surgery has directed Navy Medicine providers to comply with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention‘s guidelines.
“Navy Medicine implements the latest CDC guidelines and supports installation vector surveillance and control efforts; however, each member of the Navy and Marine Corps family must also do their part to ensure they are protected from the Zika virus,” said Alan Lam, BUMEDÂ deputy associate director for public health, emergency preparedness and response.
CDC recommends pregnant women avoid travel to places with active Zika virus transmissions such as areas in the Pacific Islands, the Caribbean and Central America and South America.
Pregnant women who travel in these areas should consult with Navy Medicine providers; choose accommodations with window and door screens; cover exposed skin; use Environmental Protection Agency-approved insect repellents and permethrin-treated clothing and equipment and avoid unprotected sex, the Navy added.
