Florida Zika Virus Tally Nearing 550

TAMPA BAY, FL — With the addition of 12 new travel-related Zika virus cases on Tuesday, the total of infections confirmed by the state of Florida climbed to 542.

Tuesday’s new cases, all travel-related, amounted to 12 in all. The cases involve five residents in Miami-Dade County, four in Broward, and one each in Hillsborough, Orange and St. Lucie counties, according to the state’s daily update. The 12th travel-related case involved a pregnant woman.

To date, the state has confirmed 452 travel-related Zika virus cases. There have also been 30 cases related to local transmission of the virus by mosquitoes in the Miami-Dade area. Sixty cases involve pregnant women, the state reported.

The Zika virus is a mosquito-borne illness that presents with a fever, joint pain and rash. The illness typically goes away within a week, but some cases may require hospitalization.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has has confirmed that the Zika virus is responsible for causing severe defects in unborn children, including microcephaly, which leaves babies with abnormally small heads and often with brains that do not develop properly.

In the Tampa Bay area, all confirmed cases remain travel related, which means the virus was contracted while patients were traveling outside of the state. As of Tuesday, the number of confirmed cases in Bay area counties stood at:

• Hernando County – 4
• Hillsborough County – 14
• Manatee County – 2
• Pasco County – 6
• Pinellas County – 7
• Polk County – 14
• Sarasota County – 1

The first confirmed case of Zika infection in Sarasota County, along with others across the state, has U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan issuing his own warning to residents.

“All Floridians must take immediate action to protect themselves and prevent Zika from spreading any further,” Buchanan said. “My state is in crisis mode. Families and business owners cannot overlook the very real threat this virus poses to public health.”

Buchanan has even dedicated a section of his website to Zika preparedness. It contains information about the signs and symptoms, tips for preventing the virus and advice for keeping mosquitoes out of businesses and homes.

“The situation in Florida has escalated and experts are diligently working to stop the virus from spreading,” Buchanan said. “But containing this virus isn’t just up to health officials – it’s up to all of us. Floridians need to step up to the plate and safeguard their loved ones from Zika while the summer heat worsens.”

The CDC has confirmed 1,962 Zika virus cases across the United States, Buchanan’s office reported Tuesday. In addition to mosquitoes, the virus can be spread through sexual contact.

The CDC recommends women who are pregnant or are considering becoming pregnant postpone travel to areas where there is widespread Zika infection.

To help residents resolve questions about the virus and its spread, the state has set up a Zika Virus Information Hotline at 1-855-622-6735. More information may also be found on the FDOH website.

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