A new color-coded map for Miami has been created by federal health officials to better highlight risk levels for Zika transmission.
The US Centers for Desease Control has published a map detailing a ‘red zone’ which it cautions pregnant women not to travel to.
This is classed as ‘a geographic area where local, state and CDC officials have determined that the intensity of Zika virus transmission presents a significant risk to pregnant women.’
"The intensity of Zika virus transmission is determined by several factors, including geographic distribution of cases, number of cases identified, known or suspected links between cases and population density," it said.
It has designated all of Miami-Dade County the less risky ‘yellow zone’ but advises pregnant women to postpone travel there.
"Pregnant women should specifically avoid travel to red areas because the intensity of Zika virus transmission confirmed in these areas is a significant risk to pregnant women," the CDC said in a statement.
"Although the specific level of risk in yellow areas is unknown, pregnant women are still considered to be at risk."
"Our guidance today strengthens our travel advice and testing recommendations for pregnant women, to further prevent the spread of the infection among those most vulnerable," the CDC’s Dr. Lyle Petersen added.
Health officials recently identified a third Zika zone in Miami, in a one square mile area of Little River.
Florida is still the only U.S. state where local Zika transmission has been confirmed.
