Note: The Epidemiological Update publication schedule is being changed from bi-weekly to monthly until further notice. Accordingly, the next Zika-Epidemiological Update is scheduled for 9 March 2017.
Situation summary in the Americas
Since epidemiological week (EW) 44 of 2016, no additional countries or territories of the Americas have confirmed autochthonous, vector-borne transmission of Zika virus disease. To date, 48 countries and territories in the Americas have confirmed autochthonous, vector-borne transmission of Zika virus disease since 2015 (Figure 1). In addition, five countries in the Americas have reported sexually transmitted Zika cases.
Highlighted below is a summary of the epidemiological situation by sub-regions.
North America
In the United States of America, the Florida Department of Health continues to report isolated local transmission cases.
In Mexico, there has been a decreasing trend since EW 39 of 2016, with a weekly average of 9 confirmed cases in the last four weeks.
Central America
The number of reported cases in Central America remains consistent, with a weekly average of 369 cases, 317 suspected, and 52 confirmed, in the last four weeks.
In Panama, the growing trend of suspected and confirmed cases between EW 30 of 2016 to EW 1 of 2017 was maintained.
Caribbean
In Montserrat, there is an increasing trend in the number of suspected and confirmed cases between EW 49 and EW 51 of 2016.
While other countries and territories in the Caribbean continue to report cases, the trend remains stable, with a weekly average of 651 cases (164 suspected and 487 confirmed) in the last four weeks.
South America
In South America, the number of cases reported remains stable with a weekly average of 6,601 suspected and confirmed cases in the last four weeks, of which 6,164 were reported in Brazil.
In Paraguay, the trend of suspected cases increased between EW 42 of 2016 and EW 3 of 2017.
In Peru, there was an increase in the number of cases reported between EW 1 and EW 3 of 2017; the increase is related to an outbreak occurring in the department of Loreto.
In the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, there was an increase in the number of cases reported between EW 1 and EW 4 of 2017.