R 172215Z FEB 16
MARADMIN 083/16
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC PPO//
SUBJ/ZIKA VIRUS FORCE HEALTH PROTECTION//
REF/A/URL/WWW.CDC.GOV/ZIKA/20160210//
REF/B/DOC/DODD 6200.04/WASHINGTON DC/20041009//
REF/C/DOC/MCO 1050.3J/REGULATIONS FOR LEAVE, LIBERTY, AND ADMINISTRATIVE ABSENCE/WASHINGTON DC/20090519//
REF/D/DOC/DODD 4500.54E/ WASHINGTON DC/20091228//
REF/E/DOC/MMWR VOL.65/20160205//
REF/F/DOC/TECH GUIDE NUMBER 36/AFPMB WASHINGTON DC/20151106//
REF/G/MCO/3504.2A/OPERATIONS EVENT/INCIDENT REPORT (OPREP-3) REPORTING/20130807//
REF/H/DOC/NAVADMIN 032/16/R101938Z FEB 16//
NARR/Ref A is a link to Center for Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Zika Virus. Ref B is DoD Directive (DoDD) 6200.04, Force Health Protection.  Ref C is MCO on Regulations for Leave, Liberty, and Administrative Absence. Ref D is DoDD 4500.54e, DoD Foreign Clearance Program.  Ref E is interim guidance from the CDC on prevention of sexual transmission of Zika Virus. Ref F is Armed Forces Pest Management Board Technical Guide Number 36, Personal Protective Measures against Insects and Other Arthropods of Military Significance.  Ref G is OPREP reporting guidance.  Ref H is the BUMED Zika response NAVADMIN.//
POC/CABANISS, C.G./COL/PPO/POC/TEL: 703-571-1077/EMAIL: christian.cabaniss(at)usmc.mil//
POC/STRICKLAND, A.T./LTCOL/PPO/POC/TEL: 703-571-1015/EMAIL: adam.strickland(at)usmc.mil//
POC/DECICCO, V.L./CAPT/HQMC/HS/TEL: 703-604-4602/EMAIL: vincent.decicco(at)usmc.mil//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  PURPOSE.  Provide service information and guidance on the recent outbreak of Zika Virus in the Western Hemisphere for Marine Corps personnel deploying to, currently operating in, or redeploying from ZIka Virus affected areas, and create a shared understanding of potential risks and risk mitigation actions.  Direct commanders to take specific actions and implement force health protection measures to mitigate the threat of Zika Virus to personnel.
1.  Background
    a.  Until recently, the Zika Virus was isolated to remote areas of Africa, Southeast Asia, and Pacific Islands with relatively few cases worldwide.  It first appeared in the Western Hemisphere in May 2015 and has spread to 26 countries in the Americas as of 9 February 2016.
    b.  The Zika Virus is primarily spread through Aedes mosquito bites.  It is infrequently transmitted through blood transfusions, sexual contact, and from mother to child in the womb.
    c.  The most common symptoms of Zika Virus are fever, skin rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (eye redness).  Other common symptoms include muscle pain and headaches.
    d.  The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to one week.  Of those infected, only 20 percent show symptoms.
    e.  There are no vaccines currently available against the virus at this time.  Treatment is supportive and includes fluids and rest. Severe cases requiring hospitalization are uncommon, and deaths are rare.
    f.  On 15 Jan 2016, the CDC issued a Level 2 travel alert for women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant to postpone travel to areas with Zika Virus transmission due to concern that the virus may cause serious birth defects in women infected during pregnancy.
    g.  On 1 Feb 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that congenital abnormalities related to the Zika Virus constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
2.  Situation.  A limited number of Marines and their dependents will deploy, are deployed, or are preparing to deploy to, or travel to and from countries with active Zika Virus transmission.  As a result of Zika Virus concerns, the Marine Corps created a service-level OPT to identify any gaps in current policies and develop risk mitigation policies and guidance.
3.  Actions
    a.  All Marines and Sailors preparing for deployment to Zika Virus affected areas OCONUS as identified in ref A in support of MARFORSOUTH, MARFORNORTH, Marine Security Guards, Exchange Programs, and Defense Attaché Programs are directed to review the Zika Virus education and training material located at https:(slash)(slash)www.youtube.com/watch?v=rslkitpjcte.
    b.  All CONUS Marines and Sailors permanently stationed in, or traveling to or from are designated as Zika health emergency areas/zones by local state public health authorities are directed to review the Zika Virus education and training material located at https:(slash)(slash)www.youtube.com/watch?v=rslkitpjcte.
    c.  Commanders will ensure that force health protection information regarding the threat and risk of vector-borne illnesses are added to applicable depords, opords, and fragos.
    d.  Base and station commanders within the Zika-affected areas will publish guidance regarding force health protection measures taken or being taken to mitigate the risks of Zika infection and elimination of Aedes mosquitoes.
    e.  Recruiting Station Commanders will ensure that all personnel at risk of exposure through their contact with at risk populations are aware of mitigation and preventative measures.
    f.  Commanders will ensure service members traveling to areas identified by the CDC as being affected by the Zika Virus, whether on duty or in a leave status, comply with all DoD travel guidance per ref B through D and are aware of any and all CDC travel advisories.
    g.  Female service members who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant should consult with their healthcare provider before traveling to affected areas.
    h.  Commanders will advise service members to make their dependents aware of the CDC travel advisories and encourage female dependents who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant to consult with their healthcare provider before travelling to affected areas.
    i.  Due to unknown latency of the virus in infected individuals, and the potential for sexual or serological transmission:
        (1) Men who reside in or have traveled to an area of active Zika Virus transmission who have a pregnant partner should abstain from sexual activity or consistently and correctly use condoms during sex for the duration of the pregnancy.
        (2) Men who reside in or have traveled to an area of active Zika Virus transmission who are concerned about sexual transmission of Zika Virus should consider abstaining from sexual activity or consistently and correctly use condoms during sex for at least 10 weeks.
        (3) Individuals who reside in or have traveled to an area of active Zika Virus transmission should not donate blood for 28 days.
    j.  References E and F provide information on proper personal protective measures that will minimize the risk of mosquito bites and serve as the most effective way to prevent infection:
        (1) Choose a hotel or lodging with air conditioning or with screens on windows and doors.
        (2) Utilize a mosquito net if you are outside or in a room that is not well screened.
        (3) Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
        (4) Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing Deet, Picaridin, or IR3535.  These are safe for pregnant women when used as directed.
        (5) Use permethrin-treated clothing and equipment.
    k.  All service members or dependents who have traveled to Zika Virus affected areas and suspect that they may have been infected with Zika Virus should inform their healthcare providers immediately and report their travel history.  This is of particular importance for pregnant service members and the dependents of service members.
4.  Coordinating instructions
    a.  As required, PP&O will release a separate msg with detailed reporting instructions.
    b.  All Marine Corps commands will immediately report all suspected or confirmed Zika Virus cases of Marines, Sailors, Civilians, or dependents as a Serious Incident Report (SIR) to the Marine Corps Operations Center per ref G.
    c.  All MARFORs will report number of personnel within designated CONUS and OCONUS Zika  zones to MARFORCOM.   As required, further instruction will be published in a separate msg.
    d.  MCESG will report number of personnel within designated OCONUS Zika zones to MARFORCOM.  As required, further instruction will be published in a separate msg.
    e.  MCICOM will notify PP&O and MARFORCOM of confirmed presence of Aedes mosquitos aboard Marine Corps bases and stations.  As required, further instruction will be published in a separate msg.
    f.  MCRC will report numbers of personnel assigned to or working in state designated Zika zones to MARFORCOM.  As required, further  instruction will be published in a separate msg.
    g.  Updated CDC travel advisory info can be found at: http:(slash)(slash)wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices.
    h.  Additional info regarding the Zika Virus can be found at: http:(slash)(slash)www.cdc.gov/zika.
5.  Administration and Logistics
    a.  This MARADMIN is applicable to all members of the USMC active and reserve components as well as all Navy personnel assigned to Marine commands.
    b.  This MARADMIN is canceled 10 February 2017.
6.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General Ronald L. Bailey, Deputy Commandant, Plans, Policies and Operations, Headquarters Marine Corps//