Due to Zika-related risks of birth defects, officials recommend any pregnant woman who was in that area any time after June 15 should get tested.
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Initially, there were only a small number of cases in the US, almost all of them involving people who had recently traveled to countries where the Zika infestation is more widespread, as well as by people who had had sexual relations with the travelers.
On Friday, Florida officials announced the first locally transmitted cases of Zika in the United States with all four linked to the same area in Miami.
The CDC is now advising women who are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant to avoid traveling to a specific Miami neighborhood after 10 newly reported domestic Zika cases were tied to that area.
Zika can also be spread by sex, so partners of pregnant women are also advised to prevent mosquito bites.
“I have requested that the CDC activate their Emergency Response Team to assist DOH in their investigation, research and sample collection efforts”, said Governor Scott in a statement.
Merced County health officials on Monday said they have confirmed the county’s first cases of the Zika virus.
Symptoms of the Zika Virus include a rash, fever, joint pain, pink eye, and more.
Gov. Rick Scott asked for a CDC emergency response team to help Florida combat Zika, which has been sweeping Latin America and the Caribbean in recent months and now may be gaining a long-dreaded foothold in the U.S. The White House said a team will be sent quickly.
If any symptoms persist after a few days, seek a doctor or health care provider to rule out Zika through blood tests and examination. There are 55 involving pregnant women.
Anyone carrying the disease could spread it if they’re bitten by a mosquito that then bites someone else. One possible reason is that mosquitoes there may have developed insecticide resistance, he says, noting that the CDC plans to test local mosquitoes for resistance but will not have good answers on for several weeks.
Hotez believes there are other likely local outbreaks occurring and that more can be expected in the next six weeks in Florida and other Gulf Coast states where the mosquito that carries the virus is common.
Two of the 14 cases involve women and the rest are men.
Mosquito control agent Larry Smart said he was not finding a lot of stagnant water.
Scott said Florida would try to continue to keep residents and visitors safe utilizing constant surveillance and aggressive strategies, such as increased mosquito spraying, that have allowed the state to fight similar viruses.
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Scott said all known cases of Zika in Florida were caused locally by mosquitos.
