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Florida investigates possible first case of indigenous zikaSource: EFE 20/07/2016 6:01 a.m. agenciesAddThis Sharing ButtonsThe Government of Florida (USA) discussed on Wednesday a possible first case of indigenous zika in the state, which so far have been reported 326 patients with the virus, including 43 pregnant women. The infected person under investigation corresponds to Miami-Dade county where has been detected most cases, with 88 in total until today, the Florida Department of Health reported. The state agency said that works in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC in English) in the epidemiological investigation. The other most affected counties in Florida, where state have so far been presented only cases infected people who traveled abroad, are Broward, with 50 infected and Orange, with 33. Last week the CDC reported the first documented case of sexual transmission of zika of a woman to a man, who until now had only checked in the opposite direction. The case, registered in New York (USA), extends the risk of sexual transmission so far known to zika virus. On the other hand, the CDC recommends that pregnant women not to travel to affected areas because of the risk that in case of infection, the fetus will develop serious complications, such as microcephaly. Also advise travelers returning to the United States from an area with presence of zika, and although they have not experienced symptoms of the disease, to take measures to prevent mosquito bites for 3 weeks, not spread the virus by this track. Zika virus is mainly transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti mosquito, although contagion has also proven through body fluids such as urine, blood, semen and amniotic fluid. http://globovision.com/article/florida-investiga-posible-primer-caso-de-zika-autoctono

Florida probes possible case of Zika in Miami area Melanie Eversley, USA TODAY10:51 p.m. EDT July 19, 2016 (Photo: Rick Bowmer, AP) The Florida Department of Health is joining with theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate a possible non-travel-related case of the deadly Zika virus in the Miami - Dade County area. Along with the epidemiological investigation, the state agency is making available repellent and prevention kits for pregnant women at its headquarters in Miami-Dade and throughout the affected area. Residents are asked to follow the following precautions: Drain standing water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets and other areas so that mosquitos don't multiplyGet rid of old tires, bottles, drums, broken appliances and other unused itemsCover boats and vehicles with tarp that does not collect waterEmpty and wash pet water bowls and birdbathsKeep swimming pools chlorinatedWear protective clothing that covers arms and legs as protection against mosquitosAlways use repellentCover doors and window with screensThe Zika virus is spread via mosquitos and can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus and cause birth defects, according to the CDC. There is no vaccine or medication for it, the agency reports. The outbreak started in Brazil last year. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/07/19/florida-probes-possible-case-zika-miami-area/87325658/

Florida probes 'non-travel' related case of Zika MENAFN - AFP - 20/07/2016 No. of Ratings : 0 E-Mail Article Printer-Friendly Translate Share Article Text Size (MENAFN - AFP) Florida health officials said they are investigating a potential case of Zika infection that was not contracted by someone traveling to a region affected by the mosquito-borne virus. Until now, there has been no sign that mosquitoes carrying Zika have arrived in the continental US, but officials have warned that the possibility was looming. The US territory of Puerto Rico has seen a spike in cases in recent months. It was not immediately clear whether the Florida case involved mosquito bites or sexual contact, since both are known routes of transmission. The Florida Health Department "is conducting an investigation into a possible non-travel related case of Zika virus in Miami-Dade County," it said in a statement. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Florida had confirmed a Zika infection, and that the CDC is "closely coordinating with Florida officials," according to a statement sent to AFP. The CDC said federal authorities would, upon request, "conduct additional laboratory testing." As of mid-July, there have been 1,306 cases of Zika in the continental United States, nearly all involving people who had traveled to areas in Latin America and the Caribbean basin that are affected by the current outbreak. Fourteen of the cases were transmitted by sexual contact between those who had traveled and their US-based partners. Earlier this week, a case emerged in Utah in which a caregiver appeared to have been infected by an elderly patient, though the exact route of transmission remains unknown. - Birth defects - Zika is a concern because if a pregnant woman is infected, she faces a higher risk of bearing a child with microcephaly, in which the skull and brain are malformed and smaller than normal. The "CDC has been working with state, local, and territorial health officials to prepare for the possibility of locally acquired Zika infection in the United States," the agency said. "To date, CDC has provided Florida more than 2 million in Zika-specific funding and about 27 million in emergency preparedness funding that can be used toward Zika response efforts." The Florida Department of Health said Zika prevention kits and repellent would be available for pickup at the health department and distributed in the area being studied. "Zika kits are intended for pregnant women," the health department said. "Mosquito control has already conducted reduction and prevention activities in the area of investigation." Zika virus can cause a variety of symptoms, including rash and joint and muscle pain, but often carries no symptoms at all. Zika can also trigger Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which leads the immune system to attack the nerves and may lead to paralysis. Zika virus was first identified in 1947 but is poorly understood, and there remains no vaccine to prevent it or medicine to treat it. Officials urge pregnant women to avoid traveling to Zika-affected areas and to wear mosquito repellent to reduce the risk of being bitten. Condoms or abstinence are also recommended to reduce the risk of infection by people traveling to or living in places where Zika is circulating. http://www.menafn.com/1094863472/Florida-probes-nontravel-related-case-of-Zika

Florida health officials investigating first possible non-travel Zika transmissionPublished July 20, 2016 FoxNews.comFacebook2 Twitter5 livefyre0 Email Print FILE - In this Jan. 27, 2016, file photo, an Aedes aegypti mosquito is photographed through a microscope at the Fiocruz institute in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil. (AP) Health officials in Florida said Tuesday that they are investigating the first possible non-travel Zika transmission. The Florida Department of Health said the case was reported in Miami-Dade County and that it was working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on an epidemiological study, according to Reuters. The statement didn’t specify whether the case was believed to have been transmitted by mosquito bite, sexual contact or some other means. Officials urged Florida residents to take the proper precautions about protecting themselves from mosquitos that may have the virus. "Zika prevention kits and repellant will be available for pickup ... and distributed in the area under investigation," health officials said. "Mosquito control has already conducted reduction and prevention activities in the area of investigation." Signs of Zika have been found in blood, urine, semen and saliva. There's no evidence yet that the Zika infection in this case is an unusual mutation, but researchers are exploring that possibility through genomic analysis. The virus causes only a mild illness in most people. But during recent outbreaks in Latin America, scientists discovered that infection during pregnancy has led to severe brain-related birth defects. No cases of mosquito-spread Zika have been reported in the continental United States, according to the CDC. Health experts think mosquito transmission probably will occur in the U.S., but the expectation is that it will be in low-elevation, sweltering places where the insect has been a steady problem — such as southern Florida or southern Texas. More than 1,300 Zika illnesses have been reported in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, including eight in Utah, according to health officials. Almost all were people who had traveled to Zika outbreak countries and caught the virus there. Fourteen were people who had not traveled to Zika zones but had sex with someone who had. The Associated Press contributed to this report. http://www.foxnews.com/health/2016/07/20/florida-health-officials-investigating-first-possible-non-travel-zika-transmission.html

Zika case in Florida could have come from local mosquito, a first in continental USMARVIN RECINOS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES By ANDREW JOSEPH @DrewQJoseph JULY 19, 2016 TwitterFacebookLinkedInEmailRepublishPrint Health officials in Florida are investigating what could be the first case of mosquito-borne Zika transmission in the continental United States. The state health department put out a brief statement Tuesday evening saying they were “conducting an investigation into a possible non-travel related case ofZika virus in Miami-Dade County.” The county already had 88 travel-related cases of Zika — the most in the state. The virus can be transmitted through sex, as well as by mosquitoes, but the release did not mention that as a possible mode of transmission. The health department did not immediately respond to questions. A Zika, which is primarily spread by Aedes mosquitoes, has swept through much of the Americas since cases first emerged in Brazil last year. The virus typically causes no symptoms or only a mild illness. But it can cause serious birth defectsin fetuses when it infects pregnant women, including a condition called microcephaly in which the brain is underdeveloped and head is abnormally small. There have been more than 1,300 Zika cases in the United States. Almost all of the patients were infected while traveling in a Zika-infected area. A handful of cases were the result of sexual transmission. So far, there is no confirmed case of local mosquito transmission of the virus; Florida’s would be the first. Federal authorities have a 58-page plan for responding to even a single local transmission. The most likely route for local transmission is that someone who is infected while traveling returns home and is bitten by a local mosquito. If that mosquito becomes infectious itself, it can then infect other people it bites. Still, most experts believe that any local spread of the virus will be contained, nothing like the wide spread that has been seen in Latin America and the Caribbean. Related viruses also spread by Aedes mosquitoes, including dengue and chikungunya, have had limited impact in the US, with just a few reported cases of local transmission of those viruses in Florida and South Texas. People in the continental United States are generally less exposed to mosquitoes than in other regions thanks to screened windows, the use of air conditioning, and better home construction. Densely packed urban areas in the rest of the Americas also make it easier for a mosquito to infect several people. In the continental United States, Aedes aegypti, the primary driver of the virus,are found in the highest numbers in southern states and along the Gulf Coast. Florida’s health department said it is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on its investigation and that crews have already launched mosquito control efforts in the area where the possible transmission occurred. “Florida is the lead on an investigation involving a case of Zika in someone with no travel history to a country with active Zika transmission,” a CDC spokesman said. “CDC is consulting with Florida on the case.” Helen Branswell contributed reporting. https://www.statnews.com/2016/07/19/florida/

Florida may have first non-travel related Zika infection in the U.S., officials sayUpdated: Jul 20, 2016 - 5:32 AM Photo: CDC/James Gathany© 2016 Cox Media Group.5MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. —Florida health officials say they are investigating a Zika virus infection that could be the first non-travel related case in the U.S. As of July 13, 2016, there have been 1,306 confirmed cases of Zika in the continental U.S. and Hawaii, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All the infections have been travel related and none originated from local mosquito populations, the CDC said. The case under investigation was reported in Miami-Dade County, officials said. The virus is especially concerning because it can be passed from a pregnant mother to her unborn child, which can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly, the CDC said. The case in Florida is alarming because it doesn’t appear to be travel related or sexually transmitted, Florida International University infectious disease expert Dr. Aileen Marty said. She expects the investigation by the Florida Health Department and CDC to be meticulous. “All of those things have to definitely be ruled out now in this particular case,” she said. “In addition, they are going to have to do a very careful determination of where the individual lives, where they work and where they have been playing for the last couple of weeks.” Scientists have not determined exactly how long the Zika virus can stay inside a person before they start to show symptoms, which will complicate the investigation, Marty said. Health officials in Utah are also investigating a baffling Zika infection that does not appear to be travel related. A Utah man who got Zika while taking care of his infected father has researchers scratching their heads. Until now, experts thought the Zika virus could only be spread by mosquitoes and sexual contact with an infected person. The man’s elderly father died in late June, the CDC said. A blood sample taken after his death showed the amount of virus in his system was more than 100,000 times higher than what has been seen in samples from other infected persons, the CDC said. In Florida, if the Zika infection is found to have been spread by local mosquitoes, the areas where that person may have been bitten will be thoroughly sprayed, Marty said. Florida has one of the best mosquito control programs in the country and this isn’t the first mosquito-borne disease the state has contended with, she said. Get more information on the Zika virus on the WFTV Zika Page. http://www.wftv.com/news/local/florida-may-have-first-non-travel-related-zika-infection-in-the-us-officials-say/407733865?ecmp=wftv_social_twitter_sfp

Florida Health Officials Investigate Possible Case of Locally Acquired ZikaMay be first instance of person getting disease from mosquito inside U.S. ENLARGEThe Florida Department of Health said it is “actively conducting an epidemiological investigation” together with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of a “possible non-travel-related case” of Zika. PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESSBy BETSY MCKAYJuly 19, 2016 11:06 p.m. ET0 COMMENTSFlorida health officials are investigating a case of Zika in a person in Miami-Dade County who may have been infected locally rather than in an area outside the continental U.S. where the virus is known to be circulating. If the person is confirmed to have acquired the virus locally, that could mean that it was transmitted by mosquitoes—possibly the first such instance of that occurring. The Florida Department of Health said in a short announcement late Tuesday that it is “actively conducting an epidemiological investigation” together with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the “possible non-travel-related case.” –– ADVERTISEMENT –– Lab tests in Florida confirmed the Zika infection, and the CDC said it would conduct additional lab tests upon request. U.S. health officials have said they expect some transmission of Zika by mosquitoes this summer, particularly in southern states such as Florida and parts of the Gulf Coast, where the species of mosquito that can carry Zika is most commonly found. But the CDC has said that it expects outbreaks would be limited, because most Americans live in air-conditioned residences that are spaced further apart than the homes in densely packed, poor neighborhoods where mosquitoes that are able to spread Zika thrive in the tropics. Florida’s announcement comes one day after Utah health officials disclosed that they are trying to determine how a family member of a man who had been infected with Zika got the disease himself. The family member—identified as the man’s son, according to people familiar with the matter—didn’t travel to an area where Zika was circulating, nor have sexual contact with an infected person. He did care for his acutely ill father, however. Regarding the Florida case, the CDC said it “has been working with state, local and territorial health officials to prepare for the possibility of locally acquired Zika infection in the U.S. Officials from Florida participated in all these activities, and their experience in responding to mosquito-borne diseases similar to Zika, including dengue and chikungunya, has been an important source of knowledge in this effort.” The CDC said it has “provided Florida more than $2 million in Zika-specific funding and about $27 million in emergency preparedness funding that can be used toward Zika response efforts.” Florida health officials said “Zika prevention kits” would be provided for pregnant women, as well as repellent for residents in the area under investigation. They said mosquito-control experts had already taken steps to reduce mosquitoes there. Write to Betsy McKay at [email protected] http://www.wsj.com/articles/florida-health-officials-investigate-possible-case-of-locally-acquired-zika-1468983985

Officials investigating possible case of non-travel-related Zika virus in Miami-Dade CountyWPTV Webteam7:33 PM, Jul 19, 201639 mins agoAutoplay:XSingle Vehicle Accident On Gulf Blvd WPTVSHOW CAPTIONMIAMI - The Florida Department of Health is investigating a possible non-travel-related case of Zika virus in Miami-Dade County. According to a news release, the department is conducting an epidemiological investigation in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control. Zika prevention kits and repellant will be available for pickup at DOH-Miami-Dade and distributed in the area under investigation, the release said. Zika kits are intended for pregnant women. Mosquito control has already conducted reduction and prevention activities in the area of investigation. Residents and visitors are reminded that the best way to protect themselves is to prevent mosquito bites through practicing good drain and cover methods: DRAIN standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying • Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected.• Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren't being used.• Empty and clean birdbaths and pet's water bowls at least once or twice a week.• Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.• Maintain swimming pools in good condition and appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use. COVER skin with clothing or repellent • CLOTHING - Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long-sleeves. This type of protection may be necessary for people who must work in areas where mosquitoes are present.• REPELLENT - Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing.o Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535 are effective.o EPA-approved repellent is safe for pregnant women to use.o Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old. http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/state/officials-investigating-new-possible-case-of-non-travel-related-zika-virus-in-miami-dade-county

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HEALTH ZIKA VIRUS OUTBREAK JUL 19 2016, 8:00 PM ETFlorida May Have Its First Zika Virus Outbreakby MAGGIE FOX SHARE Florida health officials said Tuesday they were investigating a possible case of Zika that wasn't carried back by a traveler. If it's confirmed, it would be the first evidence that Zika has spread to mosquitoes in the continental U.S. All cases up to now have been in people who traveled to Zika-affected regions or their sexual partners. Small, local outbreaks of Zika virus are fully expected in southern states such as Florida, Louisiana and Texas. These states are home to the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that most commonly transmit the virus. Aedes aegypti mosquitos are seen in a lab at the Fiocruz Institute on June 2, 2016 in Recife, Brazil. Microcephaly is a birth defect linked to the mosquito-borne Zika virus where infants are born with abnormally small heads. Mario Tama / Getty Images"Today the Florida Department of Health announced that it is conducting an investigation into a possible non-travel related case of Zika virus in Miami-Dade County," the health department said in a statement. "The department is actively conducting an epidemiological investigation, is collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and will share additional details as they become available." Related: Is Deet Safe? The CDC said it will help investigate. "At this time, state and local officials in Florida are leading the investigation, and CDC is closely coordinating with Florida officials. To date, Florida public health officials have confirmed Zika infection through laboratory testing; upon request, CDC will conduct additional laboratory testing," the agency said in a statement. "CDC HAS BEEN WORKING WITH STATE, LOCAL, AND TERRITORIAL HEALTH OFFICIALS TO PREPARE FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF LOCALLY ACQUIRED ZIKA INFECTION IN THE UNITED STATES."Zika can be transmitted by mosquitoes and, less commonly, through sex. The CDC has predicted that a traveler would eventually be bitten by local mosquitoes and infect them with the virus. After about 10 days, an infected mosquito can then transmit the virus to another person. But in the U.S., it's less common for people to live in the conditions that allow the virus to cause a full epidemic. So the CDC predicts any outbreaks would be limited. "CDC has been working with state, local, and territorial health officials to prepare for the possibility of locally acquired Zika infection in the United States," the CDC said. "To date, CDC has provided Florida more than $2 million in Zika-specific funding and about $27 million in emergency preparedness funding that can be used toward Zika response efforts. " Related: Pregnant and Worried As Zika Approaches The Florida health department said it would give out Zika prevention kits and repellant in the area under investigation. "Zika kits are intended for pregnant women," it said. "Mosquito control has already conducted reduction and prevention activities in the area of investigation. Residents and visitors are reminded that the best way to protect themselves is to prevent mosquito bites through practicing good drain and cover methods." Zika virus is most dangerous to pregnant women, because it can cause severe birth defects in babies if they are infected in the womb. It can cause rare complications such as the paralyzing Guillain-Barre syndrome and very rarely can kill or help kill an already ill patient. An elderly man in Puerto Rico died last spring and Utah reported the death of an elderly patient with Zika last week. Related: Zika Funding Battle "Inexcusable" In Utah, a family caregiver of the patient who died was also infected with Zikaand officials there are investigating how it happened, since sexual transmission and mosquitoes can likely be ruled out. The CDC's reported more than 1,300 cases of Zika in the continental U.S., all linked to travelers. Among them, 346 are or have been pregnant women. Nine babies have been born so far with Zika birth defects and another six were miscarried or aborted. Health experts caution people in areas where Aedes mosquitoes live to use mosquito repellant, to drain even the smallest reservoirs of standing water in and around homes and to use screens to keep insects out of the house. The mosquitoes that spread Zika bite during the day and prefer to live in and around houses and other structures. "It was only a matter of time before the right circumstances aligned in Florida," said Dr. Amesha Adalja of the University of Pittsbuch Medical Center's Center for Health Security. http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/zika-virus-outbreak/florida-may-have-its-first-zika-virus-outbreak-n612771

Florida Zika Case Could Be First Local Transmission In U.S.There has yet to be a case of local transmission by mosquitoes in the continental United States. 07/19/2016 08:08 pm 20:08:03 DANIEL BECERRIL / REUTERS(Reuters) - Florida health officials said on Tuesday they are investigating a case of Zika virus infection that does not appear to have stemmed from travel to another region with an outbreak. The statement from the Florida Department of Health did not specify whether the Zika case was believed to have been transmitted via mosquito bite, sexual contact or other means. The department said the case was reported in Miami-Dade County and that it is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on an epidemiological study. The department also reiterated guidance to Florida residents on protecting themselves from mosquitoes that may carry the virus. “Zika prevention kits and repellant will be available for pickup ... and distributed in the area under investigation,” the health department said in a statement. “Mosquito control has already conducted reduction and prevention activities in the area of investigation.” Zika, which can cause a rare birth defect and other neurological conditions, has spread rapidly through the Americas. A small number of cases of Zika transmitted between sexual partners have also been documented. There has yet to be a case of local transmission by mosquitoes in the continental United States, though more than 1,300 people in the country have reported infections after traveling to a Zika outbreak area. U.S. officials have predicted local outbreaks to begin as the weather warms, particularly in southern states such as Florida and Texas. (Reporting by Michele Gershberg in New York; Editing by Matthew Lewis and Bernard Orr) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/florida-zika-local_us_578eba1de4b07c722ebce011

Florida investigating non-travel related case of ZikaBy Emanuella Grinberg and Debra Goldschmidt, CNN Updated 12:25 AM ET, Wed July 20, 2016 Zika-positive mothers face hard questions 02:48Story highlightsZika can cause birth defects and neurological issuesFlorida has been closely monitoring the spread of the virus (CNN)The Florida Department of Health said it is investigating a possible non-travel related case of Zika virus in Miami-Dade County. As of July 13, there have been 1,306 cases of Zika reported in the continental United States and Hawaii, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. None of those has been the result of local spread by mosquitoes.The CDC said it is closely coordinating with Florida officials leading the investigation.The Florida Department of Health is considering all known routes of transmission, including the possibility that it could be travel related, spokeswoman Mara Gambineri said.Cases of infection through sexual transmission with someone who traveled to a Zika zone are counted as travel related.Also, the CDC and Utah health officials are working to investigate how an infected person whose relative died from Zika contracted the disease. They have ruled out travel and sexual transmission. Although unlikely because the Zika-carrying mosquitoes do not live in Utah, officials are also considering local mosquito transmission.Zika can cause the birth defect microcephaly and other neurological deficits in babies born to mothers who were infected while pregnant. Microcephaly is a neurological disorder that results in babies born with abnormally small heads, causing severe developmental issues and sometimes death.The virus is also linked to Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a rare condition in which the immune system attacks nerves. After it attacks nerves, it can lead to temporary paralysis.Florida has been closely monitoring the spread of the virus, stepping up its mosquito-borne illness surveillance and mosquito control efforts. Seven new cases were reported Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases in the state to 316, including 43 pregnant women.The state has been monitoring pregnant women with evidence of Zika, regardless of symptoms, since January.Gov. Rick Scott declared a public health emergency in February in counties with travel associated cases of Zika. It includes 28 counties.The virus is widespread among mosquitoes throughout the Americas, and U.S. health officials have expected locally transmitted cases of the virus from mosquitoes, but not widespread transmission.That's based on limited transmission of other similar viruses such as chikungunya and dengue fever in the United States, in part because of living conditions including air conditioning and window screens.http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/20/health/zika-non-travel-case-florida/

JULY 19, 2016 6:54 PM Miami may have Florida’s first locally acquired case of Zika virusEpidemiologists are investigating Zika infection in Miami-Dade State offered no details on how transmission may have occurred Infection may be state’s first that wasn’t acquired by traveling outside country Setup Timeout Error: Setup took longer than 30 seconds to complete. FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL SHARE FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL SHARE 1 of 2Miami-Dade County workers search communities to identify mosquito-breeding grounds and curb the potential spread of the Zika virus and other mosquito-related illnesses.Daniel Chang and Brittany Peterson [email protected] DANIEL CHANG [email protected] LINKEDINGOOGLE+PINTERESTREDDITPRINTORDER REPRINT OF THIS STORY Florida health officials are investigating a Zika infection in Miami-Dade County that may be the first acquired within the state, according to an announcement late Tuesday. Interactive feature: Daily Florida Zika virus trackerHealth officials reported they are conducting an epidemiological investigation in collaboration with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. No details were provided regarding the potential mode of transmission. Zika is primarily transmitted by the bite of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, though the CDC has also reported cases of the virus spreading through blood transfusions, from pregnant mothers to their newborn children, and by sexual transmission. Florida health officials reported seven new cases of Zika infection on Tuesday, all acquired by people while traveling outside the country. The cases included three in Broward County, three in Orange County and one in Miami-Dade. Miami-Dade has the state’s largest number of Zika infections, with 88 people having contracted the virus this year. Zika can be difficult to diagnose in part because only one in five infected people show symptoms, which include fever, joint pain, rash and red eyes lasting seven to 10 days. While the CDC has not confirmed local transmission of Zika anywhere in the continental United States, evidence emerged this week that the virus is spreading in ways that are still a mystery to scientists. On Monday, the CDC announced that epidemiologists are investigating a case in Utah involving a family member of an elderly man who contracted Zika while traveling outside the country and later died from complications of the disease after returning home. CDC officials reported that epidemiologists are interviewing and conducting blood tests of the dead man’s family members and healthcare workers who may have had contact with the man, who died in June. Health officials are also trapping mosquitoes in Utah and testing them for the virus to assess the potential for local transmission. However, the two species known to transmit Zika are not known to be present in Utah. Florida health officials said Zika prevention kits and repellent will be available for pick up in Miami-Dade and distributed in the area under investigation, which was not disclosed. Zika kits are intended for pregnant women, the health department said. County mosquito control has already conducted spraying and other prevention efforts in the neighborhood being investigated. Pregnant women and their children are considered to be at greatest risk from the disease. Researchers have concluded that prenatal Zika infection can cause microcephaly and other brain disorders. According to the health department, there are 43 pregnant women in Florida who have contracted the virus this year. ZIKA CASES CONFIRMED IN FLORIDA AS OF JULY 19 County Number of Cases Alachua 5 Brevard 6 Broward 50 Charlotte 1 Citrus 2 Clay 3 Collier 4 Duval 6 Escambia 1 Highlands 1 Hillsborough 7 Lake 1 Lee 6 Manatee 1 Martin 1 Miami-Dade 88 Okaloosa 1 Orange 33 Osceola 15 Palm Beach 13 Pasco 5 Pinellas 7 Polk 10 Santa Rosa 1 Seminole 9 St. Johns 2 St. Lucie 1 Volusia 3 Total cases not involving pregnant women 283 Cases involving pregnant women regardless of symptoms* 43 * Counties of pregnant women are not disclosed. Source: Florida Department of Health Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/health-care/article90617692.html#storylink=cpy

Florida health officials are investigating a Zika infection in Miami-Dade County that may be the first acquired within the state, according to an announcement late Tuesday. Interactive feature: Daily Florida Zika virus trackerHealth officials reported they are conducting an epidemiological investigation in collaboration with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. No details were provided regarding the potential mode of transmission. Zika is primarily transmitted by the bite of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, though the CDC has also reported cases of the virus spreading through blood transfusions, from pregnant mothers to their newborn children, and by sexual transmission. Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/health-care/article90617692.html#storylink=cpyhttp://www.miamiherald.com/news/health-care/article90617692.html

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July 19, 2016 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DAILY ZIKA UPDATE: SEVEN NEW TRAVEL-RELATED CASES TODAY http://www.floridahealth.gov/newsroom/2016/07/071916-zika-update-revised.htmlContact:Communications [email protected](850) 245-4111 Tallahassee, Fla.—In an effort to keep Florida residents and visitors safe and aware about the status of the Zika virus, the Florida Department of Health will issue a Zika virus update each week day at 2 p.m. Updates will include a CDC-confirmed Zika case count by county and information to better keep Floridians prepared. There are seven new travel-related cases with three in Broward, three in Orange and one in Miami-Dade counties. According to CDC, symptoms associated with the Zika virus last between seven to 10 days. CDC recommends that women who are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant postpone travel to Zika affected areas. According to CDC guidance, providers should consider testing all pregnant women with a history of travel to a Zika affected area for the virus. CDC recommends that a pregnant woman with a history of Zika virus and her provider should consider additional ultrasounds. Florida has been monitoring pregnant women with evidence of Zika regardless of symptoms since January. The total number of pregnant women who have been monitored is 43, with 12 having met the previous CDC case definition. The Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists and CDC released a new case definition for Zika that now includes reporting both asymptomatic and symptomatic cases of Zika. Prior to this change, states reported only symptomatic non-pregnant cases and pregnant cases regardless of symptoms. This change comes as a result of increased availability for testing in commercial laboratories. County Number of Cases (all travel related) Alachua 5 Brevard 6 Broward 50 Charlotte 1 Citrus 2 Clay 3 Collier 4 Duval 6 Escambia 1 Highlands 1 Hillsborough 7 Lake 1 Lee 6 Manatee 1 Martin 1 Miami-Dade 88 Okaloosa 1 Orange 33 Osceola 15 Palm Beach 13 Pasco 5 Pinellas 7 Polk 10 Santa Rosa 1 Seminole 9 St. Johns 2 St. Lucie 1 Volusia 3 Total cases not involving pregnant women 283 Cases involving pregnant women regardless of symptoms* 43 *Counties of pregnant women will not be shared. On Feb. 12, Governor Scott directed the State Surgeon General to activate a Zika Virus Information Hotline for current Florida residents and visitors, as well as anyone planning on traveling to Florida in the near future. The hotline, managed by the Department of Health, has assisted 2,320 callers since it launched. The number for the Zika Virus Information Hotline is 1-855-622-6735. All cases are travel-associated. There have been no locally-acquired cases of Zika in Florida. For more information on the Zika virus, click here. The department urges Floridians to drain standing water weekly, no matter how seemingly small. A couple drops of water in a bottle cap can be a breeding location for mosquitoes. Residents and visitors also need to use repellents when enjoying the Florida outdoors. More Information on DOH action on Zika: On Feb. 3, Governor Scott directed the State Surgeon General to issue a Declaration of Public Health Emergency for the counties of residents with travel-associated cases of Zika.There have been 28 counties included in the declaration– Alachua, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Duval, Escambia, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Okaloosa, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Santa Rosa, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie and Volusia – and will be updated as needed. DOH encourages Florida residents and visitors to protect themselves from all mosquito-borne illnesses by draining standing water; covering their skin with repellent and clothing; and covering windows with screens.DOH has a robust mosquito-borne illness surveillance system and is working with CDC, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and local county mosquito control boards to ensure that the proper precautions are being taken to protect Florida residents and visitors.On April 6, Governor Scott and Interim State Surgeon General Dr. Celeste Philip hosted a conference call with Florida Mosquito Control Districts to discuss ongoing preparations to fight the possible spread of the Zika virus in Florida. There were 74 attendees on the call.On May 11, Governor Scott met with federal leaders on the importance of preparing for Zika as we would a hurricane. Governor Scott requested 5,000 Zika preparedness kits from HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell as well as a plan from FEMA on how resources will be allocated to states in the event an emergency is declared.On June 1, Governor Scott requested for President Obama to provide preparedness items needed in order to increase Florida’s capacity to be ready when Zika becomes mosquito-borne in our state.On June 9, Governor Scott spoke with Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell and CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden on Zika preparedness and reiterated the requests that he has continued to make to the federal government to prepare for the Zika virus once it becomes mosquito-borne in Florida. Governor Scott also requested that the CDC provide an additional 1,300 Zika antibody tests to Florida to allow individuals, especially pregnant women and new mothers, to see if they ever had the Zika virus.On June 23, Governor Scott announced that he will use his emergency executive authority to allocate $26.2 million in state funds for Zika preparedness, prevention and response in Florida.On June 28, the department announced the first confirmed case of microcephaly in an infant born in Florida whose mother had a travel-related case of Zika. The mother of the infant contracted Zika while in Haiti. Following the confirmation of this case, Governor Scott called on CDC to host a call with Florida medical professionals, including OBGYNs and physicians specializing in family medicine, to discuss the neurological impacts of Zika and what precautions new and expecting mothers should take.On July 1, CDC hosted a call with Florida medical professionals, including OBGYNs, pediatricians and physicians specializing in family medicine, to discuss the neurological impacts of Zika and what precautions new and expecting mothers should take. More than 120 clinicians participated.Florida currently has the capacity to test 5,016 people for active Zika virus and 1,532 for Zika antibodies.Federal Guidance on Zika: According to CDC, Zika illness is generally mild with a rash, fever and joint pain. CDC researchers have concluded that Zika virus is a cause of microcephaly and other birth defects.The FDA released guidance regarding donor screening, deferral and product management to reduce the risk of transfusion-transmission of Zika virus. Additional information is available on the FDA website here.CDC has put out guidance related to the sexual transmission of the Zika virus. This includes CDC recommendation that if you have traveled to a country with local transmission of Zika you should abstain from unprotected sex.For more information on Zika virus, click here. About the Florida Department of Health The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

County Number of Cases (all travel related) Alachua 5 Brevard 6 Broward 50 Charlotte 1 Citrus 2 Clay 3 Collier 4 Duval 6 Escambia 1 Highlands 1 Hillsborough 7 Lake 1 Lee 6 Manatee 1 Martin 1 Miami-Dade 88 Okaloosa 1 Orange 33 Osceola 15 Palm Beach 13 Pasco 5 Pinellas 7 Polk 10 Santa Rosa 1 Seminole 9 St. Johns 2 St. Lucie 1 Volusia 3 Total cases not involving pregnant women 283 Cases involving pregnant women regardless of symptoms* 43 *Counties of pregnant women will not be shared.

DHHR Announces First Confirmed Case of Zika Virus in a Pregnant Woman7/19/2016 – The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), Bureau for Public Health is reporting the state’s first case of Zika virus occurring in a pregnant woman, bringing the total of confirmed Zika virus cases in West Virginia to eight. All eight cases were contracted by travel to countries where the virus is active. “The woman was confirmed to be positive for Zika virus following an international mission trip to an area where the disease is endemic,” said State Health Officer and Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health Dr. Rahul Gupta. “The pregnancy will now be monitored by the Bureau for Public Health’s Office of Maternal, Child and Family Health through the U.S. Zika Pregnancy registry due to the increased risk of microcephaly and other potential birth defects.” The Bureau for Public Health is not releasing additional information pertaining to this case to protect the privacy of the patient. “During pregnancy, the Zika virus may be passed from the mother to her fetus,” said Gupta. “It is very important to remember to take mosquito bite precautions if traveling to areas where Zika virus transmission is occurring.” CDC has issued guidance to men and women surrounding pregnancy precautions following a visit to countries where Zika virus is endemic. Upon return, women who want to become pregnant are encouraged to wait a minimum of 8 weeks, while men should consider using a condom from 8 weeks to 6 months. There have been no reports of local mosquito transmission of the disease in the United States at this time. DHHR has launched a Zika webpage, zikawv.org, where residents can easily access Zika information, how to prevent the disease, and to help explain the risks of the virus to pregnant women and their unborn children. Gupta convened the West Virginia Zika Task Force, consisting of multiple state agencies in March 2016 to begin preparedness efforts relating to Zika virus. Many states across the country are in the process of filing action plans with CDC as local transmission of the disease is a possibility. Zika virus cases in the U.S. have been linked to foreign travel. In about 80% of cases, the Zika virus causes no symptoms and in the rest, it causes only mild illness with symptoms lasting from a few days to a week. The most common symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (pink eye). To learn more about Zika virus or risks to pregnant women, please visit www.zikawv.org. http://www.dhhr.wv.gov/News/2016/Pages/DHHR-Announces-First-Confirmed-Case-of-Zika-Virus-in-a-Pregnant-Woman.aspx Contact InformationMedia contact: [email protected] or (304) 558-7899

Tega Cay resident contracts Zika virus Another case of Zika has popped up in the Carolinas-- in our backyard. Ty Chandler and Rachel Brown , WCNC 10:41 PM. EDT July 18, 20162901CONNECT TWEET LINKEDIN GOOGLE+ PINTERESTTEGA CAY, S.C. -- A Tega Cay resident is the first person in York County to be diagnosed with the Zika virus. The person has not been identified, but county officials say they want to ensure there are no additional cases in the area. "Obviously, we are dealing with something that has a low probability," said Chuck Haynes, with the York County Office of Emergency Management. "It is new to us, it is the first summer we've had it, so it is sort of elevated in people's minds." This person is the seventeenth in South Carolina to get the illness after traveling outside of the country. There has been one case in the state of a person contracting Zika through sexual transmission. York County officials say there is no indication that mosquitoes in our area are carrying the virus. However, if an infected person is bitten, the virus can spread from there. "If, by chance, there is something crawling around that might have it, we want to make sure it goes away," said York County Manager, Bill Shanahan. The county has contracted a private company to spray within a 500-yard perimeter around the infected person's home in Tega Cay. They expect the spraying to happen at some point this week. Zika has spread throughout South America and the Caribbean and has made its way into portions of the United States. "Basically for a healthy adult who is not pregnant, flu-like symptoms, some people don't even know they had it," said Haynes. He says the virus will generally work its way out of most people's systems in less than two weeks, however, if the infected person is pregnant, the virus can lead to birth defects in babies. "Obviously, there is a concern for fetuses, so taking action is appropriate," he said. "Although the probability is low, we still have to take it seriously." The spraying will cost an estimated $7,000 to 12,000. The county and city governments will likely split the bill. “We all knew that this was going to continue to spread,” said Patrick Helms with Mosquito Authority. At this time, the virus is only believed to spread through infected mosquitoes and sexual contact. But in Utah, a caregiver was diagnosed with the virus after caring for an elderly man who contracted Zika and died. The caregiver had not traveled overseas and there's no indication of Zika-infected mosquitoes in the state. “We do not believe Zika can be spread through casual contact, through hugging or kissing,” Dr. Denise Jamieson with the Center for Disease Control explained. "Be safe" is the message from local mosquito experts. Experts tell people to minimize exposure, try to wear long sleeves and use bug spray. They said older neighborhoods, such as Myers Park, with large amounts of foliage, will see the most mosquitoes. And of course, areas with standing water. “Anything that sits for more than seven days is a potential mosquito breeding zone,” said Helms. They said citronella candles only work in about an 18-inch radius around the candle. http://www.wcnc.com/news/health/tega-cay-resident-contracts-zika-virus/276256303

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CountyCasesBell1Bexar6Collin2Dallas15Denton3Ellis1Fort Bend3Grayson1Hamilton1Harris20Lubbock1Medina1Tarrant9Travis2Val Verde1Williamson1Wise1Total69Dallas Pregnant Registry11Texas Preg Reg excl Dallas26Total106

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The city of Lewisville will spray for mosquitoes after a 3rd person has been diagnosed with Zika virus in Denton County, county public health department officials say. The Denton County Public Health Department did not provide any identifying information about patient other than that the person resides in Lewisville and that the case was contracted during a recent visit to Nicaragua. http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/health/Lewisville-Spraying-After-3rd-Case-of-Zika-Virus-Confirmed-in-Denton-County-387486971.html

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Zika Cases in New Jersey New Jersey County Confirmed Travel-Related Cases Bergen 13 Passaic 11 Middlesex 6 Burlington 5 Hudson 5 Essex 5 Union 5 Camden 3 Morris 3 Monmouth 2 Ocean 1 Hunterdon 1 Mercer 1 TOTAL 61 Last Updated: July 19, 2016 http://www.nj.gov/health/cd/zika/case_count.shtml