Florida health officials said on Tuesday (July 19) that they were investigating a possible case of Zika that was not contracted while travelling to a region affected by the mosquito-borne virus, suggesting an outbreak may be under way.
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In a brief statement, the department said it is “actively conducting an epidemiological investigation” of a non-travel-related case in Miami-Dade County in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Zika is commonly transmitted through a mosquito bite and also can be sexually transmitted.
For women, this includes preventing pregnancy for eight weeks after the onset of symptoms.
If confirmed, it would mark the first time that mosquitoes have spread Zika in the continental US, marking a major turning point in the nation’s attempt to prevent an outbreak of the virus.
Zika prevention kits and mosquito repellant are being handed out to those in the area, particularly pregnant women. State and county health department communications officials said they would call back when they had more information.
Residents have also been reminded to clear water-collection sites like garbage cans, flower pots and other outdoor items. So far, one woman has given birth to a baby with microcephaly. There’s no evidence yet that the Zika infection in this case is an unusual mutation, but researchers are exploring that possibility through genomic analysis.
A new case of Zika virus infection associated with a very high Zika viral load has renewed attention to Zika transmission, according to the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology (ACOG).
“To date, CDC has provided Florida more than $2 million in Zika-specific funding and about $27 million in emergency preparedness funding that can be used toward Zika response efforts”.
Zika warnings originally focused on people traveling outside of the country, but officials are now emphasizing steps people can take at home to avoid mosquito bites. Mosquito Control has “already conducted reduction and prevention activities in the area of investigation”.
The Utah man has now fully recovered.
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The virus is widespread among mosquitoes throughout the Americas, and USA health officials have expected locally transmitted cases of the virus from mosquitoes, but not widespread transmission. Nearly all of the patients were infected while traveling in a Zika-infected area.
