“Today the Florida Department of Health announced that it is conducting an investigation into a possible non-travel related case of Zika virus in Miami-Dade County”, the health department said in a statement.
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The virus is typically spread by mosquitoes and also has been transmitted sexually.
Zika prevention kits and repellent will be available for pickup at DOH-Miami-Dade and distributed in the area under investigation.
“Mosquito control has already conducted reduction and prevention activities in the area of investigation”. Zika can also be spread from a mother to her unborn child, through sexual contact, and likely through blood transfusions.
Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell and Office of Management and Budget Director Shaun Donovan wrote Republican leaders last week saying that the inaction on a Zika package “will significantly impede the Administration’s ability to prepare for and respond to a possible local transmission in the United States and Hawaii and address a growing health crisis in Puerto Rico”.
USA officials have predicted local outbreaks to begin as the weather warms, particularly in southern states such as Florida and Texas. Zika kits are intended for pregnant women.
Florida health officials reported seven new cases of Zika infection on Tuesday, all acquired by people while traveling outside the country.
It is primarily of concern to women who are pregnant or want to become pregnant, because the virus carries the risk of causing irreversible brain defects in the fetus. The cases included three in Broward County, three in Orange County and one in Miami-Dade.
In its daily Zika update, issued every weekday at 2 p.m., the Florida authorities reported seven new Zika cases, all travel related.
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Counties of pregnant women are not disclosed.
