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As of July 05, 201631 confirmed travel-related Zika cases in Georgia http://dph.georgia.gov/

As of July 05, 201631 confirmed travel-related Zika cases in Georgia

REFERENCESCampos GS, Bandeira AC, Sardi SI. Zika Virus Outbreak, Bahia, Brazil. Emerg Infect Dis. 2015 Oct;21(10):1885-6. PubMed PMID:26401719.Messina JP, Brady OJ, Pigott DM, Golding N, Kraemer MU, Scott TW, Wint GR, Smith DL, Hay SI. The many projected futures of dengue. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2015 Apr;13(4):230-9. PubMed PMID:25730702.Lazear HM, Govero J, Smith AM, Platt DJ, Fernandez E, Miner JJ, Diamond MS. A Mouse Model of Zika Virus Pathogenesis. Cell Host Microbe. 2016 Apr 5. PubMed PMID:27066744.DICK GW, KITCHEN SF, HADDOW AJ. Zika virus. I. Isolations and serological specificity. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1952 Sep;46(5):509-20. PubMed PMID:12995440.DICK GW. Zika virus. II. Pathogenicity and physical properties. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1952 Sep;46(5):521-34. PubMed PMID:12995441.Fagbami AH. Zika virus infections in Nigeria: virological and seroepidemiological investigations in Oyo State. J Hyg (Lond). 1979 Oct;83(2):213-9. PubMed PMID:489960.HAMMON WM, SCHRACK WD Jr, SATHER GE. Serological survey for a arthropod-borne virus infections in the Philippines. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1958 May;7(3):323-8. PubMed PMID:13533740.POND WL. ARTHROPOD-BORNE VIRUS ANTIBODIES IN SERA FROM RESIDENTS OF SOUTH-EAST ASIA. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1963 Sep;57:364-71. PubMed PMID:14062273.SMITHBURN KC. Neutralizing antibodies against arthropod-borne viruses in the sera of long-time residents of Malaya and Borneo. Am J Hyg. 1954 Mar;59(2):157-63. PubMed PMID:13138582.Heang V, Yasuda CY, Sovann L, Haddow AD, Travassos da Rosa AP, Tesh RB, Kasper MR. Zika virus infection, Cambodia, 2010. Emerg Infect Dis. 2012 Feb;18(2):349-51. PubMed PMID:22305269.Duffy MR, Chen TH, Hancock WT, Powers AM, Kool JL, Lanciotti RS, Pretrick M, Marfel M, Holzbauer S, Dubray C, Guillaumot L, Griggs A, Bel M, Lambert AJ, Laven J, Kosoy O, Panella A, Biggerstaff BJ, Fischer M, Hayes EB. Zika virus outbreak on Yap Island, Federated States of Micronesia. N Engl J Med. 2009 Jun 11;360(24):2536-43. PubMed PMID:19516034.Cardoso CW, Paploski IA, Kikuti M, Rodrigues MS, Silva MM, Campos GS, Sardi SI, Kitron U, Reis MG, Ribeiro GS. Outbreak of Exanthematous Illness Associated with Zika, Chikungunya, and Dengue Viruses, Salvador, Brazil. Emerg Infect Dis. 2015 Dec;21(12):2274-6. PubMed PMID:26584464.Weaver SC, Costa F, Garcia-Blanco MA, Ko AI, Ribeiro GS, Saade G, Shi PY, Vasilakis N. Zika virus: History, emergence, biology, and prospects for control. Antiviral Res. 2016 Jun;130:69-80. PubMed PMID:26996139.Villar L, Dayan GH, Arredondo-García JL, Rivera DM, Cunha R, Deseda C, Reynales H, Costa MS, Morales-Ramírez JO, Carrasquilla G, Rey LC, Dietze R, Luz K, Rivas E, Miranda Montoya MC, Cortés Supelano M, Zambrano B, Langevin E, Boaz M, Tornieporth N, Saville M, Noriega F. Efficacy of a tetravalent dengue vaccine in children in Latin America. N Engl J Med. 2015 Jan 8;372(2):113-23. PubMed PMID:25365753.Guzman MG, Alvarez M, Halstead SB. Secondary infection as a risk factor for dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome: an historical perspective and role of antibody-dependent enhancement of infection. Arch Virol. 2013 Jul;158(7):1445-59. PubMed PMID:23471635.Simmons CP, Chau TN, Thuy TT, Tuan NM, Hoang DM, Thien NT, Lien le B, Quy NT, Hieu NT, Hien TT, McElnea C, Young P, Whitehead S, Hung NT, Farrar J. Maternal antibody and viral factors in the pathogenesis of dengue virus in infants. J Infect Dis. 2007 Aug 1;196(3):416-24. PubMed PMID:17597456.Halstead SB, Lan NT, Myint TT, Shwe TN, Nisalak A, Kalyanarooj S, Nimmannitya S, Soegijanto S, Vaughn DW, Endy TP. Dengue hemorrhagic fever in infants: research opportunities ignored. Emerg Infect Dis. 2002 Dec;8(12):1474-9. PubMed PMID:12498666.Mansfield KL, Horton DL, Johnson N, Li L, Barrett AD, Smith DJ, Galbraith SE, Solomon T, Fooks AR. Flavivirus-induced antibody cross-reactivity. J Gen Virol. 2011 Dec;92(Pt 12):2821-9. PubMed PMID:21900425.Fagbami AH, Halstead SB, Marchette NJ, Larsen K. Cross-infection enhancement among African flaviviruses by immune mouse ascitic fluids. Cytobios. 1987;49(196):49-55. PubMed PMID:3028713.Diamond MS, Edgil D, Roberts TG, Lu B, Harris E. Infection of human cells by dengue virus is modulated by different cell types and viral strains. J Virol. 2000 Sep;74(17):7814-23. PubMed PMID:10933688.Brandt WE, McCown JM, Gentry MK, Russell PK. Infection enhancement of dengue type 2 virus in the U-937 human monocyte cell line by antibodies to flavivirus cross-reactive determinants. Infect Immun. 1982 Jun;36(3):1036-41. PubMed PMID:6284641.Gentry MK, Henchal EA, McCown JM, Brandt WE, Dalrymple JM. Identification of distinct antigenic determinants on dengue-2 virus using monoclonal antibodies. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1982 May;31(3 Pt 1):548-55. PubMed PMID:6177259.Crill WD, Chang GJ. Localization and characterization of flavivirus envelope glycoprotein cross-reactive epitopes. J Virol. 2004 Dec;78(24):13975-86. PubMed PMID:15564505.

RESULTS & DISCUSSIONWhen determining the level of enhancement DENV2 strain 16803 achieved in the presence of 4G2, we found significant differences between titers from the treatment group with the antibody and the control group without the antibody (Table 1). In both the supernatant and pellet, the control group produced little or no plaques while the treatment group had countable plaques, which resulted in a mean value significant from the control group (p-values <0.05). Mean viral titers in the supernatant and pellet, respectively, increased more than 140-fold and 110-fold when pre-treated with antibody. Table 1Average DENV2 titers calculated based on n=10 replicates from plaque assays. Also reported is the 95% lower confidence limit (LCL) and upper confidence limit (UCL) in the control group (no antibody) and treatment group (with 4G2 antibody). VirusLocationAntibodyMean95% LCL95% UCLDENV2SupernatantYes1.27×1031.03×1031.51×103DENV2SupernatantNo9-1.14×1012.9×101DENV2PelletYes1.10×1022.44×1021.96×102DENV2PelletNo000 Similarly, we demonstrated that ZIKV infection could be enhanced, with significant difference in the viral titers when infection of THP-1 cells was done in the presence of mAb 4G2 compared to controls without mAb 4G2 in both supernatant and pellet (p-values <0.05) as shown in Table 2. ADE by mAb 4G2 resulted in increase in viral titer by more than 60 times in supernatant and 248 times in the cell pellet when compared to its respective controls. The high viral titer in the 4G2 supernatant compared to all other groups could be attributed to the cellular lysis during viral replication, as peak ZIKV replication is often observed the day after supernatant collection in Vero cells, indicating that perhaps all of the virus was cell-free as the majority of THP-1 cells had already been infected and lysed at that point. Figure 1 shows the cytopathic effects on Vero cells following inoculation with either DENV2 or ZIKV treatments. Thus, we have demonstrated that there was substantial enhancement in infection of FcR-bearing THP-1 cells in the presence of the commercially available, monoclonal antibody 4G2. Table 2Average ZIKV titers calculated based on n=10 replicates from plaque assays. Also reported is the 95% lower confidence limit (LCL) and upper confidence limit (UCL) in the control group (no antibody) and treatment group (with 4G2 antibody). VirusLocationAntibodyMean95% LCL95% UCLZIKVSupernatantYes6.00×1034.74×1037.26×103ZIKVSupernatantNo9.40×1014.84×1011.40×102ZIKVPelletYes2.48×1025.74×1014.39×102ZIKVPelletNo1.00-1.263.26 Fig. 1: A) Vero cell monolayer compared to observed ctyopathic effect from undiluted supernatants of ADE assay in the presence of 4G2 antibody and B) Zika virus or C) DENV2. While 4G2 is DENV2-derived, it is broadly used as an anti-flavivirus monoclonal antibody22,23. Thus, it cannot be ruled out that ZIKV could be enhanced by other closely related flaviviruses such as Japanese Encephalitis or Yellow Fever. As the scientific community pushes to fill the gaps in our ZIKV knowledge base, elucidating the potential for interaction with DENV is critical. Understanding the methods and tools available for such investigations is important to move the field of ZIKV research forward. Hence, our results demonstrate not only the utility of a widely available tool for ZIKV research, but also provides further insight into the potential for a role of pre-existing Flavivirus antibody in ZIKV pathogenesis. COMPETING INTERESTSThe authors have declared that no competing interests exist. DATA AVAILABILITYAll data is available in Appendix 1. APPENDIX 1Data from Individual Replicates: Data_Appendix1

MATERIALS & METHODSVirus and Cells Virus was generously provided by Dr. Robert Tesch at University of Texas, Medical Branch. ZIKV MR799 and DENV2 16803 were utilized for all assays and a multiplicity of infection (MOI) was determined prior to infection assay. THP-1 cells were provided to us by Dr. Juan Martinez at Louisiana State University. Cells have previously been shown to have low infectivity for DENV2, except in the presence of antibodies, including 4G2.20 Vero cells were cultured using M199E (Sigma-Aldrich) and under standard tissue culture conditions (37°C, 5% CO2), with 2% anti-microbial/anti-mycotic and 10% fetal bovine serum. THP-1 cell culture was conducted as in 20 and were also incubated at 37°C and 5% CO2. Both viruses were grown in Vero cells prior to infection of THP-1 cells under standard conditions as above. In vitro Antibody Dependent Enhancement Assay The assay was performed using the protocol in Diamond, et al. with some modifications.20 First, we used a multiplicity of infection (MOI) for ZIKV of 2 and a MOI of 10 for DENV2 to account for the difference in over infection kinetics of these two viruses21. The THP-1 cells (2.5 x 105) were infected with DENV2 or ZIKV by incubating at 37°C for 90 minutes. For antibody treatment, infection was carried out in the presence of virus-antibody complex formed by incubating virus (DENV2 or ZIKV) with approximately 200ng/0.2μL of mAb 4G2 (Anti-Flavivirus group antigen antibody, EMD Millipore) at 37°C for 30 minutes. After infection, cells were washed six times by centrifugation at a speed of 900 x g for 3 minutes. The pellet was finally resuspended in complete medium containing approximately200ng/0.2μL of mAb 4G2 and was incubated at 37°C for 72 hours before it was centrifuged to separate supernatant and pellet. There were 10 replicates for controls and antibody treatments. Virus Quantification Viral titer was calculated from the plaque assay on Vero cells whereby 100μL of inoculum was pipetted onto confluent Vero monolayers in 6-well plates (Corning, Corning, NY) and allowed to incubate on a rocker for 30 minutes. The first overlay of media and low melting agarose immediately followed and plates were placed in the incubator at 37°C at 5% CO2. The second overlay, which included neutral red stain for visualization of plaques, was administered on day 3 post inoculation for ZIKV and day 6 post inoculation for DENV2. For DENV2 and ZIKV virus-only controls, as well as the DENV2 and ZIKV treatment pellet groups, we used the undiluted samples. Because there were too many plaques to count in the undiluted samples and 1:10 samples of supernatant from the ZIKV treatment groups, we utilized the counts in the 1:100 dilution. Likewise, there were too many plaques to count in most of the undiluted DENV2 supernatant samples, thus we utilized the 1:10 samples. Statistical Analysis Differences in pfu/ml between treatment groups and controls were analyzed using Student’s T-test in R version 3.2.5. Statistical significance was assessed at the α=0.05 level.

INTRODUCTIONFlaviviruses are positive strand RNA viruses of medical and veterinary significance, including dengue virus (DENV), where 390 million cases occur annually, and Zika virus (ZIKV), which has recently emerged in the Americas.1,2 These two flaviviruses are currently co-circulating in much of the tropics, especially in Central and South America.2 ZIKV was first isolated in 1947 from a Rhesus macaque from the Zika forest in Uganda3,4 and the first human isolation was recorded in 1954 in Nigeria.5,6 The pathogen since has expanded from the African continent to countries in Asia and to many islands in Pacific Ocean, before finally it emerged in the western hemisphere in 2013.6,7,8,9,10,11 Both DENV and ZIKV human infections are similar in pathognomonic symptoms12 and are transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes of Aedes species, specifically Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus.13 The four serotypes of DENV1-4 share 60-70% genetic homology and cause either asymptomatic or subclinical infections, mild illness known as dengue fever (DF), or severe manifestations (dengue hemorrhagic fever, DHF, or dengue shock syndrome, DSS).It is thought that the severe forms of DENV are mediated by cross-reactive but not cross-protective immunity to the primary DENV infection whereby antibodies produced in that first infection fail to neutralize a second, heterologous infection with another serotype. This phenomenon, antibody dependent enhancement (ADE), has confounded vaccine development, as the antibody response is often not equitable.14 Briefly, ADE is an immunopathological phenomenon in which a non-neutralizing antibody binds DENV and aids entry into cells bearing the Fc-receptor, such as monocytes/macrophages and dendritic cells. This leads to an increase in viral replication and ultimately, increased viral load of the host.15 A striking example of ADE occurs in babies born to DENV-immune mothers, upon their first infection with DENV develop a severe form of the disease due to the presence of maternal antibodies.16,17 In addition, there are other reports of enhancement capacity among other flavivirus combinations in both human samples and small animal models. 18,19 Antibody dependent enhancement by Zika infection has not yet been reported in humans, but has been shown in vitro in cell culture.20 Herein we investigate whether a dengue-derived monoclonal antibody (4G2) is capable of enhancing ZIKV infection in vitro, providing information regarding this widely available tool for future studies of the immunological interaction among DENV1-4 and ZIKV.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Zika virus (ZIKV) has emerged in dengue (DENV) endemic areas, where these two related flaviviruses continue to co-circulate. DENV is a complex of four serotypes and infections can progress to severe disease. It is thought that this is mediated by antibody dependent enhancement (ADE) whereby antibodies from a primary DENV infection are incapable of neutralizing heterologous DENV infections with another serotype. ADE has been demonstrated among other members of the Flavivirus group. Methods: We utilize an in vitro ADE assay developed for DENV to determine whether ZIKV is enhanced by a commonly available DENV serotype 2-derived monoclonal antibody (4G2). Results: We show that ZIKV infection in vitro is enhanced in the presence of the 4G2 mAb. Discussion: Our results demonstrate that ADE between ZIKV and DENV is possible and that the 4G2 antibody is a useful tool for the effects of pre-existing anti-DENV antibodies during ZIKV infections.

AUTHORSAnu Susan CharlesRebecca C. Christofferson

Utility of a Dengue-Derived Monoclonal Antibody to Enhance Zika Infection In VitroJULY 5, 2016 · RESEARCH ARTICLEhttp://currents.plos.org/outbreaks/article/obk-16-0032-utility-of-a-dengue-derived-monoclonal-antibody-to-enhance-zika-infection-in-vitro/

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Arizona's First Zika Case Recorded in Traveler, read the news releaseTravel-associated Zika cases confirmed in Arizona: 9http://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/mosquito-borne/index.php#zika-home

Arizona's First Zika Case Recorded in Traveler, read the news releaseTravel-associated Zika cases confirmed in Arizona: 9Arizona Arboviral Handbook for Chikungunya, Dengue, & Zika Viruses

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PRESS RELEASE ---For Immediate Release DCHHS Reports 12th Zika Virus Case in Dallas County DALLAS (July 5, 2016) – Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) is reporting the 12th case of Zika virus in Dallas County in 2016. The case was confirmed through testing in a private lab. DCHHS has submitted the case for review to the Texas Department of State Health Services. The 55-year-old patient is a resident of Dallas who was infected with the virus during recent travel to Jamaica. For medical confidentiality and personal privacy reasons, DCHHS does not provide additional identifying information. While sexual transmission of Zika virus is possible, it is primarily transmitted to people by Aedes species mosquitoes. The most common symptoms of Zika virus are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting several days to a week. DCHHS advises individuals with symptoms to see a healthcare provider if they visited an area where Zika virus is present or had sexual contact with a person who traveled to an area where Zika virus is present. There is no specific medication available to treat Zika virus and there is not a vaccine. The best ways to avoid Zika virus are to avoid mosquito bites and sexual contact with a person who has Zika virus. There are currently no reports of Zika virus being locally-transmitted by mosquitoes in Dallas County. However, imported cases make local spread by mosquitoes possible because the mosquitoes that can transmit the virus are found locally. DCHHS advises recent travelers with Zika virus symptoms as well as individuals diagnosed with the virus to protect themselves from further mosquito bites. # For additional information, contact: YaMonica Sadberry, Administrative [email protected] 214.819.6070 (office) Zachary Thompson, Director 214.755.9299 (cell)

Positive tests trigger further testingThree of 12 samples from Guinea-Bissau were positive for Zika virus based on lab tests in Senegal, which weren't able to determine the exact strain, the Associated Press (AP) reported yesterday, citing WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier. The WHO has been in touch with Guinea-Bissau's government, and officials are further investigating whether the viruses detected are the same ones fueling outbreaks in countries such as Brazil. Concerns about the threat to Africa have been rising since genetic tests on Zika samples from Cape Verde, located off the coast of Africa, revealed that illnesses there were due to the Americas strain and not the African strain as previously thought. Among the many unanswered questions about Zika virus are whether previous exposure to the African strain, thought to have circulated in Africa for many decades, offers any protection against the Americas strain and whether features of the Americas strain make it more likely to cause birth defects such as microcephaly. http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2016/07/guinea-bissau-zika-detections-prompt-probe-virus-strain

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Number of cases reportedCounty/Area TodayYear to Date (7/5/16) Albany03Dutchess05Erie12Lewis01Monroe03Nassau119Niagara01Oneida02Onondaga04Ontario12Orange01Putnam01Rockland04St Lawrence01Schenectady01Suffolk124Tompkins01Westchester06NYS (ex NYC)481NYC8284NYS Total Confirmed12365NYS Pregnant Registry021NYS Total12386

Zika Cases in New Jerseyhttp://www.nj.gov/health/cd/zika/case_count.shtml New Jersey County Confirmed Travel-Related Cases Bergen 10 Passaic 9 Middlesex 5 Burlington 5 Union 4 Hudson 3 Morris 3 Camden 3 Essex 3 Monmouth 2 Mercer 1 Hunterdon 1 TOTAL 49 Last Updated: July 5, 2016

Zika Cases in New Jersey New Jersey County Confirmed Travel-Related Cases Bergen 10 Passaic 9 Middlesex 5 Burlington 5 Union 4 Hudson 3 Morris 3 Camden 3 Essex 3 Monmouth 2 Mercer 1 Hunterdon 1 TOTAL 49 Last Updated: July 5, 2016

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Pennsylvania Blood Tests Submitted for Zika TestingInformation updated Mondays at 2 p.m. CDC Confirmed Cases: 36Pending Test Results: 154Last update: 07/05/2016http://www.health.pa.gov/My Health/Diseases and Conditions/U-Z/Zikavirus/Pages/ZikaVirusHomePage.aspx#.V3wCmbgrLZZ

Pennsylvania Blood Tests Submitted for Zika TestingInformation updated Mondays at 2 p.m. CDC Confirmed Cases: 36Pending Test Results: 154Last update: 07/05/2016

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July 5, 2016 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DAILY ZIKA UPDATE: SIX NEW TRAVEL-RELATED CASES http://www.floridahealth.gov/newsroom/2016/07/070516-zika-update.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 six new travel-related cases with two in Duval, one in Broward, one in Miami-Dade, one in Lee and one in Seminole counties. Of the cases confirmed in Florida, 28 are still exhibiting symptoms. 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 4 Brevard 4 Broward 34 Charlotte 1 Citrus 2 Clay 2 Collier 3 Duval 5 Escambia 1 Highlands 1 Hillsborough 5 Lee 6 Martin 1 Miami-Dade 70 Okaloosa 1 Orange 18 Osceola 9 Palm Beach 12 Pasco 4 Pinellas 6 Polk 6 Santa Rosa 1 Seminole 9 St. Johns 2 Volusia 2 Total cases not involving pregnant women 209 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 2,200 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 25 counties included in the declaration– Alachua, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Duval, Escambia, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Okaloosa, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Santa Rosa, Seminole, St. Johns 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 Rick 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 Rick 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 Rick 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 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 5,458 people for active Zika virus and 1,767 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.