Florida Zika Virus Cases Near 800

BRADENTON, FL — The state of Florida’s total Zika virus case count climbed to 799 Tuesday, Sept. 13 with the announcement of 13 new travel-related cases and six non-travel related infections. The new travel-related cases included two in the Tampa Bay area.

According to the Florida Department of Health, eight of the new travel-related cases were confirmed in Miami-Dade County. Manatee, Hillsborough, Monroe and Seminole counties also had one new case each confirmed by the state Tuesday. Travel-related cases involve patients who contracted the virus while traveling outside of Florida.

The new non-travel related cases involve residents in the Miami Beach, Miami-Dade and Wynwood areas, the state said. Non-travel related cases involve patients who are believed to have contracted the Zika virus while in the state of Florida. At present, the state believes active transmission of Zika virus is confined to the Wynwood and Miami Beach areas of Miami-Dade County.

Zika 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. Zika may also be spread through sexual contact, health officials say.

The CDC 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.

As of Tuesday, Sept. 13, Florida's Zika case breakdown was as follows:

• Travel related – 634
• Non-travel related – 70
• Infections involving pregnant women – 86
• Out of state cases – 9

Travel-related infections in the Tampa Bay area confirmed by DOH are as follows:

• Hernando County – 4
• Hillsborough County – 18
• Manatee County – 4
• Pasco County – 8
• Pinellas County – 16
• Polk County – 21

Pinellas County also has one non-travel related case on record.

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

Image via Shutterstock/Map courtesy of the state of Florida