Zika in Pinellas County: What You Need to Know

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — Gov. Rick Scott’s Tuesday morning announcement of a locally transmitted case of Zika virus in Pinellas County has kicked off a string of activity that residents may want to take note of. The case, the first non-travel related one outside of South Florida, adds to the nine travel-related infections confirmed in Pinellas since earlier this year.

As of Tuesday, the Florida Department of Health did not believe mosquitoes in Pinellas County were actively transmitting the virus. Even so, a door-to-door outreach campaign and sampling has begun, a statement from the governor’s office said. Efforts to keep the county's mosquito population in check are also under way.

“In Pinellas County, the Department of Health and Pinellas County Mosquito Control are already working together and have begun aggressive spraying and mosquito abatement efforts," Scott said.

See also: Locally Transmitted Zika in Pinellas Confirmed

The state has not yet said what part of Pinellas County the local transmission occurred in. Resources, however, are being offered to residents countywide:

Mosquito Control

Scott’s office says that any Pinellas County resident or business owner can request mosquito control services. Pinellas County Mosquito Control is providing the service. For more information, visit the agency’s website.

Testing for Pregnant Women

Zika virus has been connected to severe birth defects. With that in mind, the state is offering free Zika tests for pregnant women and Zika prevention kits, as well. Residents are asked to contact the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County for more details.

Earlier this month, the county’s health department announced it was offering free Zika virus tests at its three locations. The no-cost tests are available on a walk-in basis between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. They are offered at:

• Clearwater Health Department, 310 N. Myrtle Ave., Clearwater 727-469-5800
• Mid-County Health Department: 8751 Ulmerton Road, Largo 727-507-4330
• St. Petersburg Health Department: 205 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N., St. Petersburg 727-824-6900

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne illness that is characterized by a fever, rash and joint pain. While the illness typically resolves within a week, some severe cases may require hospitalization.

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. In addition to mosquitoes, the virus can be sexually transmitted, the CDC has said.

Tips for Avoiding Zika Virus

The CDC has offered the following tips to stay safe from Zika virus:

• Protect yourself from mosquito bites by wearing insect repellent or long sleeves when going outside.
• If you are pregnant, absolutely avoid travel to countries with active Zika transmission. You can view a list of those countries here (http://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/active-countries.html)
• If you are traveling to any of those countries, take extra precaution to protect yourself from mosquitoes when overseas.
• Wear condoms during sex or avoid sex all together if your partner has traveled to a country with active Zika transmission.

More information about the Zika virus is also available on FDOH’s website. More advice can also be found in this related story: Zika Virus in Florida: March of Dimes Offers Advice, Warnings for Pregnant Women.

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