CNI Helps Health Departments Across the U.S. Respond to Zika Outbreaks

Since January 2015, nearly 5,700 Zika cases have been reported in the continental United States, and more than 37,000 in U.S. territories. When the Zika virus outbreak hit the U.S., many local health departments across the country did not have the capacity to effectively prevent, detect, respond to, and report Zika outbreaks.

CNI’s Health and Human Capital Division, through a contract with the CDC, responded to this urgent challenge by providing local field support with expertise in epidemiology, clinical outreach, and data reporting to 29 jurisdictions across the U.S. and its territories. CNI also provided staffing support to CDC’s emergency operations center, developed numerous communication materials, and created sustainable support to local health departments through the launch of a knowledge management system containing helpful resources and building strong partnerships between local health departments and the maternal and child health and clinical communities.

Several members of the CNI Zika team, along with clinician volunteers and CDC staff, just returned from their visit to the U.S. Virgin Islands, where they worked together to build a bridge between clinical care and public health, to serve patients in need. Through the “USVI Zika Health Brigade,” 91 patients were seen over a six-day period across two islands, resulting in much-needed medical screenings and triaging as necessary, as well as peace of mind.

Thank you to the entire team for your dedicated efforts in improving the lives of so many.