Single Case of Locally Transmitted Zika Identified in Miami-Dade County

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Communications Office
NewsMedia@flhealth.gov
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Tallahassee, Fla. — Today the Florida Department of Health is announcing that a locally transmitted case of Zika has been confirmed in Miami-Dade County. At this time there isno evidence of ongoing, active transmission of Zika. According to CDC guidance, this isolated case does not constitute a Zika zone.

According to established protocol, the department notified mosquito control of the suspected case and appropriate mosquito reduction activities have occurred and will continue. If the department identifies any area where ongoing, active transmission of Zika is taking place, we will notify the public immediately.

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

It is important to remember Zika can also be transmitted sexually and to take precautions if you or your partner traveled to an area where Zika is active.

Background on the single case of local transmission:

The individual tested positive for Zika and had no travel history to an area with ongoing, active transmission of Zika. They did not have a partner with recent travel to any such area as well. It is therefore suspected that this case of Zika was transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito.

The total number of Zika cases in Florida in 2017 is 217.

*These cases are included on the Zika website under the 2016 totals.

Note, these categories are not mutually exclusive and cannot be added together.

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

Before you travel, check to see if your destination is on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) list of areas with Zika.

If you traveled to an area with Zika, you could have become infected and not know it, and you could spread the virus in your community if you do not take proper precautions to prevent mosquito bites or sexual transmission after you return home. Zika can persist in semen over extended periods of time. Pregnant couples with recent travel to areas with active Zika transmission should consider using condoms for the duration of the pregnancy.

According to CDC guidance, providers should assess all pregnant women in the US for possible Zika exposure and symptoms at each prenatal care visit. Additional CDC guidance on screening and testing can be found here. At Governor Scott’s direction, all county health departments offer free Zika risk assessment and testing to pregnant women.

The department urges Floridians to take action around their home and business to reduce the mosquito population. Mosquitoes can breed in as little as one teaspoon of water so it is critical to drain all sources of standing water to keep mosquitoes from multiplying. Residents and visitors should also use mosquito repellent day and night to prevent mosquito bites.

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

For more information on Zika virus and the status of Zika in Florida, please visit www.zikafreefl.org

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 Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.