A few hours after Scott’s news release, the DOH announced there are seven new travel-related cases of the Zika virus with four in Miami-Dade, two in Osceola and one involving a pregnant woman.
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Almost 3,300 will now be attending school in the 1.5-mile area where local Zika transmission has been confirmed on Miami Beach. The Florida Department of Health has begun door-to-door outreach and sampling in Pinellas County, along with mosquito abatement and reduction efforts.
Florida’s got a third outbreak of Zika virus, this one on the Gulf coast, state officials said Tuesday. Health departments, especially in areas along the Texas-Mexico border, are preparing for the expected arrival of the Zika Virus, carried by the aegypti mosquito, which is endemic to the region.
In addition to the infections that originated in Florida, the Department of Health on Friday reported 488 travel-related cases, which stem from people bringing the virus into the state after being infected elsewhere. Killingsworth said no mosquitoes carrying Zika have been found here.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) yesterday said 20 imported cases of dengue fever were reported last week, mostly from Southeast Asian countries, while the centers issued travel warnings for 57 countries and territories over the Zika virus. More details will be announced when the Pinellas County investigation concludes.
USA health officials have concluded that Zika infections in pregnant women can cause microcephaly, a birth defect marked by small head size that can lead to severe developmental problems in babies.
“In addition to being a serious public health crisis, the spread of Zika threatens Florida’s hard working families and small businesses”. He says the fifth was diagnosed in a Pinellas County resident who hasn’t travelled internationally. He said the best news of all is the fact that the virus came from a traveler rather than someone who has remained in Gregg County.
Pregnant women can receive a free test at the Health District Center, located at 1350 NW 14th St.in Miami.
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If people are actively infected, and haven’t traveled to another Zika-affected area, that suggests active local transmission.
