CDC Updates Zika-Related Travel Warning for Miami
Update 2: On Monday, September 19, 2016, Florida Governor Rick Scott declared Miami's Wynwood neighborhood as being "Zika-free," however the Zika zone was recently expanded for Miami Beach, so South Florida isn't out of the woods just yet.
Update: Another area of active Zika transmission was recently identified in Miami Beach — five people contracted the virus, bringing the total of cases of locally-transferred Zika in Florida to 36. As a result, the CDC is recommending that pregnant women and their sexual partners avoid non-essential travel to Miami-Dade County for the time being as a precaution.
Issuing health warnings to the public is all part of the job for the professionals at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Though the organization has been around for 70 years, it made history this week when — for the first time ever — it warned people against traveling to a specific US neighborhood over fears of an infectious disease.
That neighborhood would be Miami's Wynwood District, home to some of the city's most popular art galleries, restaurants and bars — and the area to which the majority of Florida's 15 confirmed cases of Zika have been traced back.
"New test measurements over the weekend showed a risk of continued active transmission in that area," CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden told CNN. "Because of this finding, we are advising pregnant women not to travel to that area and if they have traveled there on or after June 15 to visit their health care provider for testing."
In addition to advising pregnant women to stay away, the CDC is offering advice for Wynwood residents and anyone who has recently traveled to the area, providing info about mosquito bite prevention, safe sex practices and time frames for Zika testing (the virus can have a 3-12 day incubation period).
Though exactly what kind of impact the warning could have on tourism to Miami remains to be seen, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau is already reminding visitors that the affected area is only a tiny portion of the city.
"Pregnant women are encouraged to visit all of Miami-Dade County — except one square mile. That's what the UK says, that's what the CDC says," GMCVB president and CEO William D. Talbert III told the Miami Herald.
Still, some establishments don't want to take any chances. The Wynwood Yard, a popular open-air bar and restaurant, has temporarily closed amidst the Zika concerns. "We're the only 100 percent outdoor venue in the neighborhood," spokesperson Trina Sargalski told the Miami Herald. "For now, we're not announcing a date for reopening."
"I don't think you should be scared, but we ought to be prudent," Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University, told CNN. "If you're pregnant, let's not go to that area of Miami where Zika is being transmitted. Let's go someplace else or, if you have a business conference, let's do it by phone. Pregnancies are precious; we want to be careful."
If you're considering a trip to Miami — or anywhere else known to have Zika Virus — check out these 5 easy tips to help prevent the mosquito-borne illness from ruining your vacation.
H/T: CNN
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.