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Florida Confirms Zika In Six More Travelers


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Feb. 2, 2016

DEPARTMENT REPORTS SIX NEW TRAVEL-ASSOCIATED ZIKA CASES TO THE CDC

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Tallahassee, Fla.—This week, the Florida Department of Health reported six new travel-associated cases of Zika in Florida to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC). Travel-related cases are defined as disease believed to be contracted outside of the state. Florida has reported a total of nine travel-related cases to the federal government.

While the CDC has not identified Florida as an area of local Zika risk, the Florida Department of Health is closely monitoring imported disease. None of the confirmed cases involve pregnant women. Yesterday, Governor Rick Scott and State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong were briefed by the CDC on the status of Zika virus.

The CDC has issued travel notices for Zika virus for several countries. More information about the CDC’s notices can be found here: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices.

“Florida has many years of success in containing other mosquito-borne diseases and emerging health threats,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “Through these experiences, the department remains ready to protect residents and visitors from the Zika virus.”

More Information on CDC precautions and DOH monitoring of Zika:

  • According to the CDC, Zika fever illness is generally mild with a rash, fever and joint pain. CDC researchers are examining a possible link between the virus and unborn babies exposed during pregnancy.
  • Florida’s public health laboratory has a developed capacity to test for infections. The department works closely with health care providers in the state to offer testing to individuals that meet CDC testing criteria.
  • DOH has a robust mosquito-borne illness surveillance system and is working with the 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.
  • 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; covering windows with screens; and other basic precautions.
  • To date, Florida has confirmed nine travel-associated cases, which involve residents from the following counties:
    • Miami-Dade – 4 cases
    • Hillsborough – 2 cases
    • Lee – 2 cases
    • Santa Rosa – 1 case
  • The department has a PSA video that media partners are welcome to share regarding “Drain and Cover” and preventing mosquito bites. The video can be accessed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AE6tkoWanXk

For more information on Zika virus, click here.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department 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.

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COVERAGE OF THE SPREAD OF THE ZIKA VIRUS IN THE AMERICAS

6 New Travel-Related Cases of Zika Reported in Florida

 

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Florida health officials say they've reported six new travel-related cases of the Zika virus to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Florida Department of Health reported in a news release Tuesday that two cases were reported in Miami-Dade County, two cases in Hillsborough, two cases in Lee and one case in Santa Rosa.

All of the cases were believed to be contracted outside of the state. Florida has reported a total of nine travel-associated cases to the federal government. None of the cases involve pregnant women.

Zika fever illness is generally mild with a rash, fever and joint pain. CDC researchers are examining a possible link between the virus and unborn babies exposed during pregnancy.

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/6-New-Travel-Related-Cases-of-Zika-Reported-in-Florida-367419971.html

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Two cases of travel-related Zika virus reported in Lee County

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Credit: AP
In this Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016 photo, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes sit in a petri dish at the Fiocruz institute in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil. The mosquito is a vector for the proliferation of the Zika virus spreading throughout Latin America. New figures from Brazil's Health Ministry show that the Zika virus outbreak has not caused as many confirmed cases of a rare brain defect as first feared. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)
By Liz Freeman of the Naples Daily News
Updated: 6:13 p.m.

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Credit: Felipe Dana
In this Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016 photo, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes sit in a petri dish at the Fiocruz institute in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil. The mosquito is a vector for the proliferation of the Zika virus spreading throughout Latin America. New figures from Brazil's Health Ministry show that the Zika virus outbreak has not caused as many confirmed cases of a rare brain defect as first feared. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)
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Credit: Felipe Dana
Gleyse Kelly da Silva holds her daughter Maria Giovanna as she sleeps in their house in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016. Brazilian officials still say they believe there's a sharp increase in cases of microcephaly and strongly suspect the Zika virus, which first appeared in the country last year, is to blame. The concern is strong enough that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this month warned pregnant women to reconsider visits to areas where Zika is present. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)
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Credit: Felipe Dana
An Aedes aegypti mosquito is photographed through a microscope at the Fiocruz institute in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016. The mosquito is a vector for the proliferation of the Zika virus currently spreading throughout Latin America. New figures from Brazil's Health Ministry show that the Zika virus outbreak has not caused as many confirmed cases of a rare brain defect as first feared. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Public health officials report two cases of Zika virus have been confirmed in Lee County, bringing the statewide caseload to nine, according to the Florida Department of Health in Tallahassee.

The two cases in Lee involve people who have traveled outside of the state, according to the state health department.

In addition to the two cases in Lee, four more travel-associated cases of Zika were confirmed this week in Florida. That brings the total to nine.

The breakdown is four cases in Miami-Dade, two in Hillsborough, two in Lee and one in Santa Rosa County.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not identified Florida as an area of local Zika risk but the state is closely monitoring imported disease, state health officials said in a press release.

"Florida has many years of success in containing other mosquito-borne diseases and emerging health threats," Dr. John Armstrong, the state Surgeon General, said. "Through these experiences, the department remains ready to protect residents and visitors from the Zika virus."

None of the nine confirmed cases involve pregnant women, where Zika has been linked in some locations to babies born with abnormally small heads and Guillain-Barre syndrome, which can cause temporary paralysis.

The CDC has issued a travel notices for Zika virus. The travel-related cases in Florida so far involve people who traveled to Columbia, El Salvador, Haiti and Venezuela.

On Monday, Florida Gov. Rick Scott and Armstrong, the state surgeon general, were briefed by the CDC on the status of Zika.

Florida's public health laboratory is able to test for Zika infection, and it works closely with health care providers to offer the testing.

Mary Briggs, a spokeswoman for the Lee Memorial Health System in Lee County, had no information whether the public hospital system has been treating the two individuals in Lee who are infected.

The virus is transmitted primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, which also spreads dengue and yellow fever.

Zika virus is common in parts of Africa and Southeast Asia.

About one in five people infected with the Zika virus are symptomatic, which include low-grade fever, rash, joint pain, body aches, headaches, and vomiting.

The state health department has posted on its website a public safety video that also instruct the public about ways to prevent mosquito bites. The video and other information is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AE6tkoWanXk.

Residents are advised to wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, and apply mosquito repellent when they are outside. When it comes to homes, repair broken screens in windows and keep doors closed.

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/health/two-cases-of-travel-related-zika-virus-reported-in-lee-county-2ad1105f-58ca-4081-e053-0100007f37b0-367412661.html

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Florida has six new cases of Zika virus

The Florida Department of Health is reporting six new cases of the Zika virus in Florida, bringing the statewide total to nine.Two of those cases are in Hillsborough County, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday. All of the reported cases are travel-related, health officials said.

Although the CDC has not identified Florida as an "area of local Zika risk," the Florida Department of Health said it is monitoring the disease.

The virus is a mosquito-borne infection linked to birth defects in Brazil that causes infants to be born with abnormally small heads.

None of Florida's confirmed cases involve pregnant women, according to the CDC.

In addition to the two cases in Hillsborough, there are four in Miami-Dade County, two in Lee County and one in Santa Rosa County.

"Florida has many years of success in containing other mosquito-borne diseases and emerging health threats," Dr. John Armstrong, the state Surgeon General and Secretary of Health, said in a prepared statement. "Through these experiences, the department remains ready to protect residents and visitors from the Zika virus."

Florida has six new cases of Zika virus 02/02/16 [Last modified: Tuesday, February 2, 2016 5:57pm] 

http://web.tampabay.com/news/health/florida-has-six-new-cases-of-zika-virus/2263787

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Zika confirmed in Santa Rosa case

 
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Santa Rosa County has a confirmed case of Zika, bringing the total number of travel-related health cases in Florida to nine.

Of the nine cases reported by the Florida Department of Health to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, six are new this week. Travel-related cases are defined as being contracted outside of the state.

Zika is a disease caused by Zika virus that is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week. There have been reports of a serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly, a condition in which a baby’s head is smaller than expected when compared to babies of the same sex and age) and other poor pregnancy outcomes in babies of mothers who were infected with Zika virus while pregnant, according to the CDC.

While the CDC has not identified Florida as an area of local Zika risk, the Florida Department of Health is closely monitoring imported disease. None of the confirmed cases involve pregnant women.

The CDC has issued travel notices for Zika virus for several countries. More information about the CDC’s notices can be found at wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices.

“Florida has many years of success in containing other mosquito-borne diseases and emerging health threats,” Armstrong said. “Through these experiences, the department remains ready to protect residents and visitors from the Zika virus.”

More Information on CDC precautions and DOH monitoring of Zika: 
•    According to the CDC, Zika fever illness is generally mild with a rash, fever and joint pain. CDC researchers are examining a possible link between the virus and unborn babies exposed during pregnancy.
•    Florida’s public health laboratory has a developed capacity to test for infections. The department works closely with health care providers in the state to offer testing to individuals that meet CDC testing criteria.
•    DOH has a robust mosquito-borne illness surveillance system and is working with the CDC, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and local county mosquito control boards to ensure the proper precautions are being taken to protect Florida residents and visitors.
•    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; covering windows with screens; and other basic precautions.
•    To date, Florida has confirmed nine travel-associated cases in the following counties: Miami-Dade, 4; Hillsborough, 2; Lee, 2; Santa Rosa, 1.

Mosquito bites can transfer dangerous mosquito-borne diseases, or arboviruses, including St. Louis encephalitis, eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile virus.

Santa Rosa mosquito technicians are currently monitoring the county’s mosquito traps and treating standing water, such as holding ponds, with larvicide. A native plains fish, gambusia affinis, is used to control mosquito larvae in wetlands. While larvae abatement is a year-round practice, spraying for adult mosquitoes generally begins in March or April — when temperatures begin to consistently stay above 60 degrees.

Residents are encouraged to help reduce the mosquito population by draining flower pots, watering cans, food bowls and any container that holds water. Moist leaves and organic matter also provide a perfect environment for mosquito larvae. By cleaning gutters and raking leaves, homeowners can stop the growth cycle. Residents may report areas of standing water, such as neglected or abandoned swimming pools, by calling 850-981-7135.

To help reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, remember the four Ds:

•    DUSK to DAWN: The timeframe when mosquitoes are most active. Reduce or eliminate outdoor activity between dusk and dawn or take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.
•    DRAIN standing water:  Water found in old tires, flower pots, clogged rain gutters, leaky pipes and faucets, birdbaths and wading pools can be breeding sites for mosquitoes.
•    DRESS in light-colored, long sleeves and pants when you are outside, especially in mosquito-infested areas. 
•    DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide): If you are planning to be outside when mosquitoes are most active, be sure to apply insect repellent that contains DEET. Read and follow label instructions. Spray exposed skin and clothing.

For more information on Santa Rosa County mosquito control, visit www.santarosa.fl.gov/mosquito. For information on Zika virus, visit the Florida Department of Health, www.floridahealth.gov.

http://www.pnj.com/story/news/2016/02/02/fla-doh-6-new-zika-cases-1-santa-rosa/79716740/

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Zika Virus Case Reported In Florida Panhandle

Aedes aegypti mosquito

The Florida Department of Health says six travel-associated cases of the Zika mosquito virus have been reported in Florida. One of those cases is in Santa Rosa County, Florida. Here is the full statement from the health department:

Tallahassee, Fla. – This week, the Florida Department of Health reported six new travel-associated cases of Zika in Florida to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Travel-related cases are defined as disease believed to be contracted outside of the state. Florida has reported a total of nine travel-related cases to the federal government.

While the CDC has not identified Florida as an area of local Zika risk, the Florida Department of Health is closely monitoring imported disease. None of the confirmed cases involve pregnant women. Yesterday, Governor Rick Scott and State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong were briefed by the CDC on the status of Zika virus.

The CDC has issued travel notices for Zika virus for several countries. More information about the CDC’s notices can be found here: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices.

“Florida has many years of success in containing other mosquito-borne diseases and emerging health threats,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health. “Through these experiences, the department remains ready to protect residents and visitors from the Zika virus.”

More Information on CDC precautions and DOH monitoring of Zika:

* According to the CDC, Zika fever illness is generally mild with a rash, fever and joint pain. CDC researchers are examining a possible link between the virus and unborn babies exposed during pregnancy.

* Florida’s public health laboratory has a developed capacity to test for infections. The department works closely with health care providers in the state to test individuals who meet CDC testing criteria.

* DOH has a robust mosquito-borne illness surveillance system and is working with the 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.

* 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; covering windows with screens; and other basic precautions.

* To date, Florida has confirmed nine travel-associated cases, which involve residents from the following counties:

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Two more Zika infections confirmed in Florida

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FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health has confirmed two cases of the Zika virus in Lee County, bringing the state's number of such infections to nine.

Health officials say all the affected Floridians, including the two in Lee County, were infected inColombiaEl SalvadorHaiti or Venezuela. It was not clear from the released information where the Lee County residents were infected.

Others Florida cases include four Miami-Dade County residents, two fromHillsborough County and one from Santa Rosa County.

Zika, which is most commonly spread by mosquito bites but may be sexually transmitted, has alarmed global health agencies because of its suspected link to birth defects in Brazil. The virus usually causes several days of mild symptoms, including fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis (red eyes).

The World Health Organization has declared this season's Zika outbreak a "public health emergency."

None of Florida's confirmed Zika cases involve pregnant women, the health department reported.

"Florida has many years of success in containing other mosquito-borne diseases and emerging health threats," said Dr. John Armstrong, the state's surgeon general and secretary of health, in a written statement Tuesday. "Through these experiences, the department remains ready to protect residents and visitors from the Zika virus."

On Tuesday, Texas public health officials identified the first U.S.-based Zika infection transmitted through sexual contact. That person became infected after having sex with a partner who had recently returned from Venezuela.

Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, an urologist with Orlando Health, said Zika's spread through sex is worrying because only 1 in 5 infected people show symptoms of the virus. And most such symptoms are mild, Brahmbhatt said.

"I think it is definitely something to be concerned about, because Zika is spreading rapidly — not only here in Florida but throughout the entire U.S. and the world," he said. His recommendations to patients getting ready to travel to such areas: "Just be smart. You just have to use precautions as with any sexually transmitted disease."

Health Department advisories about the virus have urged residents and visitors to Florida to employ traditional tactics to protect themselves from mosquitoes:

• 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. That includes emptying plastic swimming pools when not in use.
• Use insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535.

Shelly Redovan, spokeswoman for the Lee County Mosquito Control District, said normal precautions should offer enough protection, even for pregnant women and those thinking about getting pregnant.

"It should not be something they should panic about," Redovan said. "Just be aware and just be a little cautious."

Zika was not identified in the Western Hemisphere until May 2015, when the Pan American Health Organization issued alerts about cases in Brazil, according to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC has since issued advisories for people planning to travel to countries where Zika transmissions are ongoing, including: Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French GuianaGuatemala, Haiti, HondurasMartinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay,Suriname, Venezuela, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Pregnant women are advised to postpone travel to these and other affected countries. Women trying to get pregnant should speak with their doctors before any such trips, the CDC said.

Patients exhibiting symptoms and have traveled to Zika-affected regions are tested for the virus. The CDC's Arbovirus Diagnostic Laboratory confirms such results, though Florida's public health laboratory can test for infections if patients meet testing criteria.

Follow Frank Gluck on Twitter: @FrankGluck

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/02/03/two-more-zika-infections-confirmed-florida/79741070/?hootPostID=5df6e77da1ce65b5cbce4964dfe30c9e

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HEALTH NEWS

 

FEBRUARY 3, 2016 7:05 AM

Six new travel-related cases of Zika confirmed in Florida

 
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