“This case is not connected to the investigation into an individual in Palm Beach County that was announced earlier this month”, Florida’s Department of Health said in a statement. It is transmitted by the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
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“There is now no risk for contracting Zika virus in Santa Barbara County via infected mosquitoes”, Santa Barbara County Health Officer Dr. Charity Dean said in a statement. The person, which was identified only as a woman, did not travel outside the county, and medical officials believe she contracted the virus through a mosquito bite. Partners of pregnant women are advised to use a condom to guard against sexual transmission during pregnancy. Now, news of the Zika outbreak in St. Petersburg, Florida on Tuesday, raises even more concerns about the potential of the virus’ spread. In these situations, the virus can cause microcephaly (small head syndrome), brain damage and other birth defects.
There is also one new non-travel-related case in Palm Beach County.
To be clear, this is six confirmed Zika cases in the Coastal Health District. “But if we don’t find additional people that are positive, we may never find out where that case occurred”.
Scott said he asked the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for 5,000 Zika antibody tests last week, but so far had only received less than 1,200.
Levine had also expressed frustration about the lack of communication from state officials about the spread of Zika in his community.
Until last week, local transmission of mosquito-borne Zika – which can cause devastating birth defects in babies – has been restricted to Wynwood. The instance was confirmed to be travel-related, and the local news site relayed that no evidence of the virus was found to be transmitted in the Statesboro area. Many people will have no symptoms or mild symptoms like fever, rash, conjunctivitis (pink eye) and muscle/joint pain.
Q: What are the symptoms of Zika virus disease?
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This Q & A will tell you what you need to know about Zika. The total number of pregnant women who have been or are being monitored is 70 according to the Florida Health Department. Crews will continue to aggressively spray for Zika virus in affected areas, Scott said.
