Miami-Dade County’s mosquito control director says the insect’s population is dropping in the Miami neighborhood health officials have linked to 21 Zika infections. The first case involved a 50-year-old man, who had recently traveled to the Caribbean. But like other states nationwide that are trying to prepare and react to cases of Zika within their borders, the lack of funding from Congress is a point of contention.
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“Zika is a new disease with many unknowns”, said Deepak Matadha, superintendent, Middlesex County Mosquito Extermination Commission.
Zika is typically transmitted to people by a bite from an infected mosquito, however, it can also be spread from mother to unborn child, through sexual contact, and through blood transfusions.
In all, the Florida Department of Health reported 14 new travel-related cases Wednesday. The work will be carried out in the area bordered by Tachevah Drive, Date Palm Drive, 30th Avenue, and Landau Boulevard. The Florida Department of Health believes active transmissions are only occurring in that area.
The school district says dress kids in long sleeves and trousers.
Matadha urged residents to eliminate or manage all sources of standing water to discourage mosquito breeding; wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers to reduce the risk of Zika by mosquito bites; stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside; use EPA registered insect repellents, according to label.
Using air conditioning or make sure window and door screens are in place. Unlike Ebola, a disease with severe consequences for anyone who comes in contact with it, Zika doesn’t cause any symptoms in most people. Illness may develop in 20 percent of infected people within three to seven days after a bite from an infected mosquito. Common symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, conjunctivitis (red eyes), muscle pain or headache.
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Florida has more than 380 cases of Zika, and close to 60 are in pregnant women.
