“Today, Florida’s Department of Health has confirmed that 10 additional people have contracted the Zika virus locally, likely through a mosquito bite”, Scott said.
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Public health officials there have documented at least 17 cases of locally acquired Zika infections, with almost all occurring in the Wynwood community just north of downtown Miami. “While this is a travel-associated case, we know that prevention is key to reducing the risk of Zika virus infection”, Shah said in a press release.
With news of the first cases of mosquito-transmitted Zika virus in the continental U.S.
The Champaign County Health District is reporting a new case of the Zika virus.
“We’ve allocated $26.2 million out of the state budget to help our local mosquito control efforts”, said Scott, who announced four new non-travel cases on Tuesday. The group urges Tax Appraisers in the Miami-Dade County area to take this into consideration when carrying out its property assessments in areas affected by Zika.
Brazil has reported the vast majority of cases of a Zika-linked birth defect called microcephaly, which causes babies to be born with abnormally small heads and malformed brains.
Zika is one of the most risky viruses, especially as there is no official treatment for it and the symptoms are not always so easy to discover.
“Recent tests confirmed the baby’s condition and the link with the Zika virus”.
The change in policy comes as the number of locally-transmitted cases continues to rise in Florida.
The Latest on developments related to the spreading Zika virus in a Miami neighborhood. “Pregnant women who must travel to one of these areas should strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites and speak with a health care provider upon return”.
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While mosquitoes that can carry the virus have been found in 12 California counties, there is no evidence these mosquitoes are transmitting Zika in the state at this time. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will continue to monitor the entire area. However, Zika infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defects, stillbirths, and miscarriages. But the disease can be spread through blood transfusions, by men through sex and by a pregnant woman to an unborn or possibly newborn child. Severe symptoms and fatalities are uncommon.
