Biosecurity

Zika virus: Pentagon will relocate at-risk family members

Pregnant family members of active-duty personnel and civilian Defense Department employees assigned to areas affected by the Zika virus will be offered voluntary relocation, a Defense Department official said Monday.

Details as to how affected beneficiaries can request a transfer were not released, but a U.S. Southern Command officials said that one expecting service member already has been relocated.

Responding to a growing concern over the “explosive” outbreak of Zika virus in South and Central America as well as the Caribbean, U.S. Southern Command also is identifying ways to “support partner nations,” but has not yet received requests for help, DoD spokesman Marine Corps Maj. Adrian Rankine-Galloway said.