Federal health officials say spraying operations have reduced but not wiped out mosquito populations in the first affected area, the Wynwood arts neighbourhood of Miami.
Advertisement
Shortly after the governor’s announcement, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a new travel advisory for pregnant women that encompass all of Miami-Dade County.
Earlier on Friday, US health officials published a study estimating that as many as 270 babies in the territory of Puerto Rico may be born with the severe birth defect known as microcephaly caused by Zika infections in their mothers during pregnancy.
So far, Florida is the only USA state that has reported local Zika transmission by mosquitoes.
Gov. Rick Scott has directed Florida’s health department to offer mosquito spraying and related services at no cost to Miami-Dade County’s hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions.
Florida officials have faced questions about why it took so long to announce the new Zika transmission zone, with some critics accusing the governor of delaying the announcement to avoid scaring off visitors crucial to the state’s lucrative tourism industry. On Aug. 1, the CDC advised pregnant women not to travel to a 1-square mile area in Wynwood.
The number of Zika virus cases among military personnel has continued to rise, with 14 more cases reported in recent weeks to increase the total number from 41 to 55, a Pentagon spokesman said Friday.
With the Zika zones growing – this time into Miami Beach – some fear we could soon have our own.
“It is our priority to ensure the safety of all that live, work and play in Miami Beach”.
CDC director Tom Frieden is concerned that the battle to stop the spread of Zika might be hard in such a high-profile area that receives an abundance of tourists.
After learning that parts of Miami Beach are home to the latest confirmed cases of Zika, the family changed their plans.
In an email Thursday morning to the mayor and city commissioners, Jimmy Morales said his office had been in “constant communication” with Florida’s Department of Health, and he had been informed of two local Zika cases.
The five native cases of Zika contagion in Miami Beach occurred, according to the Florida Health Department, in a very small area of just 1 1/2 miles (2.4 kilometers) in diameter.
Miami-Dade schools geared up for the first day of class as they do what they can to protect students and staff.
“There are undoubtedly more infections that we’re not aware of right now”, he said.
Scott was noncommittal about having the State release its own travel advisory.
Advertisement
Officials continue to struggle with controlling mosquitos in the Wynwood area of Miami, Frieden said.
