Tampa Bay Area Zika Case Count Climbs

POLK COUNTY, FL — The total number of Zika virus cases in the state of Florida rose to 1,165 on Tuesday with the announcement of five travel-related incidents, one locally acquired infection and one "undetermined" case. One of the new travel-related cases was reported in Polk County.

According to the Florida Department of Health, the other new travel-related cases involve three Miami-Dade County residents and one in Broward County. The locally acquired case was reported in Miami-Dade County. The state is investigating where the patient acquired the case.

The state on Tuesday also confirmed an “undetermined” case. That person had traveled to Miami, but also traveled outside of the state to an area with widespread Zika. The origin is considered undetermined, the state said, because “the exact location of exposure is inconclusive.”

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

• Travel-related infections – 927
• Locally acquired infections – 225
• Undetermined – 13

The state also reported that 153 of the cases in the 1,165 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. 15 breaks down as follows:

• Hillsborough County – 34
• Manatee County – 5
• Pasco County – 9
• Pinellas County – 19
• Polk County – 29
• Sarasota County – 5

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

Miami-Dade County has the highest number of confirmed travel-related cases at 297 as of Tuesday. That county is followed by Broward with 153 cases.

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