Since Zika became a significant public health risk in Miami-Dade County on July 29, some surrounding businesses – like Wynwood Yard – closed for safety reasons. Health officials in the state were able to determine the resident got the infection in Florida after confirming travel information and symptom onset.
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In addition to the 33 “homegrown” Zika infections in Florida, another 461 travel-related Zika infections have been documented in the state and 63 have involved pregnant women, according to the new report. She had recently traveled to the Dominican Republic, one of the areas known to have mosquitos infected with the Zika virus.
The Beaumont Health Department is advising individuals with symptoms to see a healthcare provider if they have visited an area where Zika virus is present or had sexual contact with a person who has traveled to an area where Zika virus is present. It was El Paso County’s first Zika case.
It doesn’t mean Zika’s an epidemic just yet, but it does show just how easily the virus can spread once enough people in an area are infected. The first cases with local transmission of the disease occurred last month in Miami.
So far, mosquitoes carrying Zika have only been confirmed in one small part of Miami, about one-square mile north of the city.
The current Zika outbreak was detected a year ago in Brazil, where it has been linked to more than 1,700 cases of microcephaly, a birth defect marked by small head size that can lead to severe developmental problems.
In June, Scott used his executive authority to allocate $26.2 million in state funds for Zika preparedness, prevention and response.
“The primary mode of transmission is through a mosquito bite”.
The total number of travel-related cases, which stem from people bringing the virus into the state from elsewhere, climbed to 461.
There are now 440 travel-related Zika cases in Florida, 30 non-travel related, and 59 additional cases involving pregnant women.
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In most people, the virus causes only a mild and brief illness, but it can provoke fetal death and severe brain effects in the children of women infected during pregnancy.
