New Zika Virus Cases Confirmed in Pinellas, Polk Counties

TAMPA BAY, FL — The number of confirmed, travel-related Zika virus cases in the Tampa Bay area rose by three Wednesday. Florida Department of Health officials confirmed one new case in Pinellas County and two in Polk.

The total number of travel-related cases statewide rose by 12 Wednesday. Other confirmations came from Palm Beach, Broward, Lake, Marin and Duval counties. Cases related to three pregnant women were also confirmed.

The state also reported three new non-travel related Zika virus cases Wednesday. One of the cases involves a person who was exposed in the one-square-mile area of Miami-Dade County the state believes is responsible for local transmission of the virus. The other two cases involved people who live outside of that area.

“While the department is continuing to investigate areas in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties where local transmissions of Zika may have occurred, the department still believes active transmissions are still only occurring in the area that is less than one square mile in Miami-Dade County,” FDOH said in a statement.

The number of confirmed Zika virus cases in Florida stands at 557. The cases include:

• Travel related infections – 461
• Non-travel related infections – 33
• Infections involving pregnant women – 63

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 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.

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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