Florida Zika Virus Cases Edge Past 1,150

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Summer might be over, but that doesn’t mean Florida’s mosquitoes have stopped biting. Case in point, the total number of Zika virus reports across the state rose to 1,1,58 on Friday.

The Nov. 11 announcement included seven new travel-related cases. Four of the cases involve Broward County residents, two were from Miami-Dade and one from Palm Beach County. Two new locally acquired cases were also confirmed by the Florida Department of Health. Both cases are connected to the ongoing Miami Beach investigation.

The breakdown of cases as of Nov. 11 statewide is as follows:

• Travel-related infections – 922
• Locally acquired infections – 224
• Undetermined – 12

The state also reports that 147 of the cases in the 1,158 total involve pregnant women.

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 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.

In the Tampa Bay area and surrounding counties, the total number of travel-related cases as of Nov. 11 breaks down as follows:

• Hillsborough County – 34
• Manatee County – 5
• Pasco County – 9
• Pinellas County – 19
• Polk County – 28
• Sarasota County – 5

Pinellas County has also had one non-travel related case confirmed by DOH.

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 DOH website.

Image via Shutterstock