Up Close: Fighting the Zika virus – ABC7 New York

Up Close: Fighting the Zika Virus in NYC

In this episode of Up Close with Bill Ritter, Dr. Jay Varma—then New York City’s Deputy Health Commissioner for Disease Control—joins the program to discuss the city’s proactive response to the Zika virus threat as summer approaches.

With Memorial Day signaling the start of mosquito season, the NYC Health Department had just announced a $14 million investment over three years to combat the potential spread of Zika. Dr. Varma explains how the city planned to reduce the mosquito population, enhance surveillance, and monitor travel-related infections.

Although Zika had not yet established local transmission in the U.S. at the time, Dr. Varma emphasized the importance of early action. He outlines how Zika is transmitted, its link to severe birth defects, and why urban centers like New York need to stay vigilant—even if the majority of U.S. cases stemmed from travel abroad.

This appearance provides a snapshot of how public health officials communicate emerging threats, reassure the public, and lay out the scientific basis for policy decisions. Dr. Varma’s calm, evidence-driven approach highlights the importance of preparedness—even in the face of low-probability but high-impact infectious diseases.

🧬 This episode aired on May 22, 2016. The full segment is available on ABC 7’s website.