Four new cases of the Zika virus are believed to be from NON-travel, according to Florida Governor Rick Scott. The governor along with Florida Dept of Health Officials said these cases are located in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.
Here is some of what they reported:
The Florida Department of Health has gathered enough information as part of its ongoing investigation into non-travel related cases of Zika in Miami-Dade and Broward counties to conclude that a high likelihood exists that four cases are the result of local transmission. At this time, the department believes that active transmission of the Zika virus are occurring in one small area in Miami-Dade County, just north of downtown. The exact location is within the boundaries of the following area: NW 5th Avenue to the west, US 1 to the east, NW/NE 38th Street to the north and NW/NE 20th Street to the south. This area is about 1 square mile and a map is below to detail the area. While no mosquitoes trapped tested positive for the Zika virus, the department believes these cases were likely transmitted through infected mosquitoes in this area.
The Florida Department of Health has set up a Zika virus information line for concerned residents. That number is 1-855-622-6735.
Investigators have been going door-to-door in the Wynwood area where two of the Miami-Dade infected people live. According to the Miami Herald the two people are not related and don’t work together, the only connection is they live several blocks apart.
The websites of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties list precautions you can take. Many cities throughout the counties have done the same. The CDC suggests a simple Zika Kit you can make to help protect you and your family from mosquito bites.
Here is the list of all Miami-Dade County cities and their websites. For Broward County cities click HERE
Some other info release by the Dept of Health and the governors office:
Governor Scott has also directed FDOH to implement the following response activities:
- Provide $620,000 to OneBlood, the primary blood bank in the area, to establish appropriate blood screening. FDOH will be working with FDA and blood establishments in Broward and Miami-Dade counties to test each individual unit of blood collected. Additionally, statewide FDOH will ensure safe blood for pregnant women by screening units from counties without Zika.
- Work with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to issue a Mosquito Declaration and ensure that mosquito control agencies in the areas of concern have the resources they need to combat further local transmission. Broward County Mosquito Control and Miami-Dade County Mosquito Control District will receive $1.28 million in state funds through December to combat Zika.
- Continue investigations in concert with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure we learn all we can about Zika as an emerging disease.
- Coordinate with OB/GYNs and organizations that serve pregnant woman in the impacted area to distribute Zika prevention kits to pregnant women.
- Ongoing door-to-door outreach in the areas of concern with continued mosquito mitigation activities and repellant distribution.
- Partner with the Florida Department of Education to ensure that mosquito breeding source reduction and mitigation activities have occurred at all schools in Broward and Miami-Dade counties ahead of children returning to classes this fall.
