Travel Volume to the United States from Countries and U.S. Territories with Local Zika Virus Transmission

This study is subject to several limitations. First, travel data are based on passenger journeys and do not indicate individual passengers. Origin and final destination city and state do not necessarily indicate the actual residence of travelers. For aviation estimates, Diio Mi FMg data as well as Department of Transportation origin and destination data, do not include passenger demographics. Estimates, therefore, were based on aggregate CBP statistics by region limiting the specificity of gender and age groups. This also limits the specificity of our estimates of pregnant women. We were not able to obtain all citizenship or residence information on arrivals, limiting our ability to estimate how many travelers remain in the United States and seek medical care. Additionally, because information about the age and gender of sea travelers were not available, we applied the air estimates for age and gender to determine the sea estimates of women, women of childbearing age, and pregnant women knowing that the populations likely differ. We do not have enough information to indicate in which direction this would bias our findings. We foresee a continued increase of travel associated Zika virus cases in the United States. As such, travel volume analyses, such as this one, can help identify the populations and locations most likely to be affected by Zika virus; allowing for an anticipatory domestic response. Data Availability Statement Data that was cited as Diio, LLC is third pa...
Source: PLOS Currents Outbreaks - Category: Epidemiology Authors: Source Type: research