The CDC has warned since the beginning of the year that pregnant women should consider postponing travel to areas where Zika transmission is ongoing.
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On Friday, Florida said the first four cases of Zika in the state likely were caused by mosquitoes, the first sign that the virus is circulating locally, although it has yet to identify mosquitoes carrying the disease.
Early on Monday, Governor Rick Scott said the number of identified cases had jumped by 10 to 14. The agencies say their assessments and test results in the Miami neighborhood have found persistent mosquito populations and additional Zika infections, which suggests there is a risk of continued active transmission of Zika virus in that area.
Women and men who traveled to the area should wait at least 8 weeks before trying for a pregnancy; men with symptoms of Zika wait at least 6 months before trying for a pregnancy.
Most Americans who’ve contracted zika were infected overseas but Florida’s governor Rick Scott says the situation’s changed.
The virus’ symptoms are usually mild, but Zika has been identified as a cause of congenital microcephaly and other birth defects. The FDOH has also begun contracting commercial pest control companies to expand mosquito control in the impacted area.
Of these, 12 are men and 2 are women.
“We apply the same criteria within and outside of the United States, and are working closely with the State of Florida and Miami health departments to provide preventive services, including mosquito control”.
Health officials last Friday announced that mosquitoes have apparently started spreading Zika on the US mainland, citing four cases they strongly believe were caused by bites. These are believed to be the first mosquito-transmitted cases in the mainland US, which has been girding for months against the epidemic coursing through Latin America and the Caribbean. The tropical mosquito that spreads Zika travels less than 200 yards in its lifetime. Since that time the virus has spread rapidly through the Americas and its arrival in the continental United States had been widely anticipated.
Male and female sexual partners of pregnant women who live in or who have traveled to this area should consistently and correctly use condoms or other barriers against infection during sex or abstain from sex for the duration of the pregnancy.
State officials along the Gulf Coast say a lack of funding has hampered their Zika response efforts.
Frieden said the decision to issue a travel warning is an unusual measure for the continental US. President Barack Obama has asked Congress to allocate $1.9 billion to combat the Zika threat, but federal lawmakers have yet to agree on a spending package.
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“Following today’s (Monday’s) announcement, I have requested that the CDC activate their Emergency Response Team to assist DOH in their investigation, research and sample collection efforts”, Scott said.
