Health & Fitness
Florida Zika Cases Top 1,000; 2 New Cases Confirmed in Pinellas County
The total number of Zika virus cases in Florida climbed to 1,002 on Tuesday with new cases reported in Pinellas, Broward and St.
PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — Florida’s total number of Zika virus cases climbed to 1,002 Tuesday with the announcement of eight new travel-related cases and one infection involving exposure in the Miami-Dade County area. Two of the new travel-related cases involve Pinellas County residents.
According to the Florida Department of Health, the other new travel-related cases confirmed Tuesday include four people from Broward County, one from St. Lucie County and an infection involving a pregnant woman. The non-travel related case is linked to Miami-Dade County, the department said, but an investigation is under way to determine where exposure occurred.
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.
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 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.
See also: Zika Virus in Florida: What Pregnant Women Need to Know
Find out what's happening in Clearwaterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
As of Tuesday, Oct. 11 the state’s total number of cases is as follows:
- Travel-related infections – 728
- Non-travel related infections – 147
- Infections involving pregnant women – 104
- Out of state cases – 19
- Undetermined – 4
In the Tampa Bay area, travel-related cases have been confirmed by FDOH as follows:
- Hernando County – 4
- Hillsborough County – 24
- Manatee County – 4
- Pasco County – 8
- Pinellas County – 16
- Polk County – 27
- Sarasota County – 4
Pinellas County has also had one non-travel related case reported.
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.
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