The Florida Department of Health announced the state's newest case of the Zika virus on Monday. It is in Miami-Dade County. Officials said the total count stands at 60 cases.
Florida confirmed its first sexually-transmitted case of Zika virus on March 9. According the state, the person-to-person transmission occurred in Polk County. The first known sexual transmission of Zika was reported in Dallas in February.
Of the cases confirmed in Florida, four cases are still exhibiting symptoms. According to the CDC, symptoms associated with the Zika virus last between seven to 10 days.
County-by-county Zika cases:Alachua 1Brevard 1Broward 8Hillsborough 3Lee 3Miami-Dade 28Orange 4Osceola 3Polk 2Santa Rosa 1Seminole 1St. Johns 1Cases involving pregnant women 4---------------------------------------------------Total 60
What is Zika virus?
- Zika virus is spread to people through mosquito bites and can be spread through sexual contact.
- The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week.
- Outbreaks of Zika have occurred in areas of Africa, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the Americas.
- There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat Zika.
- Travelers can protect themselves from this disease by taking steps to prevent mosquito bites.
Info provided by the CDC
Health officials are investigating whether the virus is associated with microcephaly, a birth defect that causes a baby’s head to be abnormally small. While tests are done to explore a possible link, officials are advising pregnant women to try to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes.
You can also receive information about the virus by calling the state's Zika hotline at 855-622-6735.
Helpful links:
