June. 28, 2016

Department of Health Daily Zika Update

Related Microcephaly Case Confirmed in Florida

Contact:
Communications Office
NewsMedia@flhealth.gov
(850) 245-4111

Tallahassee, Fla. — Today, the Florida Department of Health confirmed the first Zika-related case of microcephaly in a child born in Florida whose mother had a travel-related case of Zika. The mother, a citizen of Haiti, came to Florida to deliver her baby. The department is working with the family to connect the child to services through our Early Steps program.

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 also recommends that a pregnant woman with a history of Zika virus and her provider should consider additional ultrasounds.

Microcephaly is a birth defect in which babies are born with abnormally small heads and incomplete brain development. Babies with the defect often have a range of problems including developmental delay, intellectual disability, problems with movement and balance, hearing loss and vision problems.

For more information on Zika virus, click here.

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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.

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