Two New Zika Cases Reported In Florida

The Florida Department of Health (FDH) has confirmed two Zika cases, one sexually transmitted in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

While one individual had no international travel history, the patient’s partner recently traveled to several areas, including Cuba, where Zika transmission could occur.

Both individuals have tested positive for Zika.

According to established protocol, the FDH notified mosquito control and appropriate mosquito reduction activities have occurred and will continue near these individual's residences in Miami-Dade County.

According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Zika can be transmitted sexually, and it is important to take precautions if you or your partner have traveled to an area where Zika is active.

It is critical for people who recently traveled overseas to an area with Zika to prevent mosquito bites for at least three weeks after they return home. It is also important to reduce the chance of sexual transmission by using condoms, say the CDC.

Before you travel, check to see if your destination is on the CDC list of areas with Zika.

The FDH updates the full list of travel-related cases by county online each weekday. To view the list of travel-related cases by county and year, click here.

According to CDC guidance, providers should screen all pregnant women in the US for possible Zika exposure and symptoms at each prenatal care visit.

This CDC guidance focuses on a frequently-used Zika test which detects immunoglobulin B (IgM) antibodies and has been found to yield a false positive test result.

Recent studies reported that Zika IgM antibodies might be detected for months after infection, limiting the ability to tell if the infection occurred before or during pregnancy.

Additional CDC guidance on screening and testing can be found here.

At Florida Governor Scott’s direction, all county health departments offer free Zika risk assessment and testing to pregnant women.

The department reminds residents and health care providers to consider a Zika test if symptoms are consistent with the virus.

A searchable database of specialists in several states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico is available.

The total number of Zika cases reported in Florida during 2017 is 205, with 172 identified as travel related.

FDH has reported 112 pregnant Women with Lab-Evidence of the Zika virus.

Visit here for more information on Zika virus and the status of Zika in Florida.