Zika virus strikes Miami Beach with first 5 local infections
Staff Writer |
Governor Rick Scott saidd that the Florida Department of Health (DOH) has reported that five individuals that have already been confirmed as cases of local transmissions of Zika are connected to the Miami Beach area.
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DOH believes that active transmission of this virus are only occurring in the area of Miami Beach between 8th and 28th streets (see map below). This is the second area that has been identified as a location where local transmission is occurring and is just under 1.5 square miles.
After aggressive testing in the Wynwood area, today DOH is able to clear three additional blocks of the Northeastern area of Wynwood because there is no continued evidence of active transmission.
This is in addition to the 14 blocks DOH has already been able to clear in Wynwood. The total number of local transmissions of Zika in Florida is 36.
Governor Rick Scott said, "Today, the Florida Department of Health has confirmed a second location in Miami-Dade County where it is believed active Zika transmission is occurring. This location is a very small area that is less than 1.5 square miles in Miami Beach.
"While we are adding a second location, DOH is also able to continue reducing the zone in Wynwood. The ability to continue reducing that area where we believe local transmission is occurring shows that our efforts to aggressively spray for mosquitoes and educate the public are working.
"Following today’s news, I am asking the CDC for an additional 5,000 Zika antibody test kits to ensure we can quickly test people for the virus and additional lab support personnel to help us expedite Zika testing.
"Also, to continue protecting pregnant women, I am renewing my call to the Obama Administration for an additional 10,000 Zika prevention kits. Additionally, we still need a detailed plan on how they would like us to work with FEMA now that this has become mosquito-borne in our state.
"Tourism is a driving force of our economy and this industry has the full support of our state in the fight against the Zika virus.
"I directed the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to work closely with hotels, attractions and restaurants in Miami-Dade County to connect them with resources for Zika prevention and education.
"To assist in this effort, I have also directed DOH to work with DBPR to provide educational materials and offer mosquito spraying at no cost to these businesses.
"Our Department of Economic Opportunity has been working with businesses in Wynwood that may have been impacted to ensure they have everything they need to remain successful and they will immediately begin this process in the new identified area in Miami Beach." ■
A trailing cold front in connection with a low pressure system currently moving east across the Great Lakes toward New England will bring a chance of rain into the eastern U.S. on this first day of November following an exceptionally dry October for this part of the country.